The companies plan to use Medarex’ UltiMAb Human Antibody Development system to generate antibodies to novel disease targets provided by GenPat77. This technology can be used to help generate, support and potentially commercialize a broad range of fully human antibody product candidates. Although details of specific disease targets for the collaboration have not been disclosed, GenPat77’s focus is on rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, prevention of transplant rejection and cancer.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies plan to share product development and commercialization responsibilities on any antibody products resulting from this collaboration. Other financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to combine our fully human antibody technology with GenPat77’s novel targets and to work together toward the development of potential new therapeutics for autoimmune diseases,” noted Donald Drakeman, president and CEO of Medarex.