In accordance with the existing collaboration agreement, LFB will be providing additional funding to support GTC’s work in the recombinant human alpha-1 antitrypsin program for 2008.
In addition to the recombinant alpha-1 antitrypsin program, the GTC/LFB Biotechnologies collaboration includes recombinant factor VIIa, recombinant factor IX, and a monoclonal antibody to CD20. The factor VIIa and factor IX programs are targeted to the treatment of bleeding in hemophilia. The monoclonal antibody to CD20 is targeted at the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, B-cell leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Geoffrey Cox, GTC’s chairman and CEO, said: “Together with LFB Biotechnologies, we are developing a broad portfolio of recombinant plasma proteins with significant market opportunities which are uniquely supported by our production technology.”