Friday, 29/08/2008
Human Genome Sciences Inc
CAT has entered into two collaborations with Human Genome Sciences Inc (http://www.hgsi.com).
In the first collaboration signed in 1999, CAT provided its expertise in human monoclonal antibody technology and high throughput screening to identify antibodies against target proteins identified by and proprietary to HGSI, in return for research funding. HGSI's first target was the protein BLyS (or B-lymphocyte stimulator) against which CAT isolated and optimised the human monoclonal antibody drug candidate subsequently known as LymphoStat-B™.
The success of the anti-BLyS programme led to a second collaboration in 2000; a ten-year agreement which combined and integrated HGSI's gene sequence-based target discovery platform with CAT's antibody technology, to identify antibodies against HGSI's proprietary target proteins. CAT received upfront discovery research funding and HGSI made an equity investment in CAT. Two human monoclonal antibody drug candidates have been developed from this agreement: HGS-ETR1 and HGS-ETR2 (anti-TRAIL Receptor-1 and anti-TRAIL Receptor-2 respectively) for the treatment of cancer.
In addition, HGSI received a library licence to CAT's antibody libraries and ongoing expert support from the technology transfer team from which ABthrax™ an anti-bacillus anthracis human monoclonal antibody drug candidate has been developed to treat anthrax.
CAT will receive milestone payments during the course of development and royalty payments on sales of these four products.