Bacterial cell expression technology (BCE) is used to discover and screen, as well as develop and manufacture, recombinant proteins and antibodies.
Currently there are two antibody products in late-stage clinical testing that are manufactured using Xoma’s BCE technologies. These are Celltech Group’s Cimzia, in development for rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, and Genentech’s antibody Lucentis, for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
“We are pleased that Wyeth has licensed Xoma’s bacterial expression technology for future development opportunities and anticipate a very positive relationship between the companies,” said John Castello, Xoma’s chairman, president and chief executive officer.
Details of the initial payment and future contingent payments to Xoma’s were not disclosed.