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news.Danish biotechnology firm Genmab has entered into an agreement for an exclusive license from Bristol-Myers Squibb to a panel of human antibodies targeting CD19.
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The intellectual property related to the panel will also be obtained by the company.
Upon execution of the license, Genmab will make a one-time $4m licensing payment to Bristol-Myers Squibb.
The agreement is part of Genmab’s strategy to create a broad pipeline of new therapeutic for cancer, using the company’s in-house know-how and antibody expertise.
According to the Danish firm, the CD19 protein expressed on certain hematologic cancer cells is seen as a promising target to treat these cancers.
Genmab CEO Jan van de Winkel said: "CD19 is a clinically-validated target for therapy of certain blood cancers and this exclusive license allows us to create truly differentiated next-generation antibody drugs using our deep understanding of antibody biology, which could lead to new ways of treating cancer.
"Genmab’s strength lies in our world-class antibody capabilities and our ability to turn science into medicine, which allows us to help patients whilst building a sustainably profitable business."
Currently, Genmab has one marketed antibody, Arzerra (ofatumumab) to treat certain chronic lymphocytic leukemia indications and daratumumab in clinical development for multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.