Genmab has reached a milestone for Arzerra (ofatumumab) under the terms of its collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). A milestone payment of approximately $23m was triggered by the FDA approval of Arzerra for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that is refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab.
Arzerra is a monoclonal antibody that causes the body’s immune response to fight against normal and cancerous B-cells. Arzerra attaches to the small and large loop epitopes, on a molecule called CD20, which is found on the surface of B-cells, the type of cell which becomes cancerous in CLL, said the company.
Lisa Drakeman, CEO of Genmab, said: “The approval of Arzerra marks a key milestone for Genmab as it is our first antibody to reach the market. We are happy that we can now offer a new treatment to these refractory CLL patients, especially as it is Genmab’s goal to develop products for life threatening and debilitating unmet medical needs.”