The fees and milestone payments due to HGS under the original Syncria agreement, some of which have already been received, could amount to as much as $183 million and remain unchanged in the amended agreement.
Human Genome Sciences (HGS) is developing its Trail receptor antibodies for the treatment of a broad range of cancers, and the company also announced plans to initiate its third randomized Phase II chemotherapy combination trial of HGS-ETR1 (mapatumumab) by mid-2008 in patients with hepatocellular cancer.
HGS has also reported that a 2002 agreement with the Pharmaceutical Division of Kirin Brewery Company, for joint development of antibodies to Trail receptor 2 has been terminated.
Barry Labinger, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, HGS, said: “We will continue to explore the possibility of bringing in additional new products, as well as forming new partnerships to add expertise and near-term financial resources in support of our pipeline.”