Organon, the human
healthcare business unit of Akzo Nobel, together with MRC Technology
(London, UK) announced that they have signed a collaborative
agreement to develop a humanized antibody for the treatment of certain
forms of cancer. The Therapeutic Antibody Group (TAG) at MRCT will use its
proprietary CDR grafting technology to generate a humanized clinical
candidate from a murine antibody discovered at Organon's Research Center
in Cambridge, MA (USA). Organon will pay MRCT research and development
milestones, and royalties based on net sales that may result from the
commercialization of any antibody products. Organon will retain all
development and commercialization rights. Additional financial terms were
not disclosed.
"Organon has been stepping up its efforts to discover and develop novel
biotherapeutics for oncology and auto-immune disorders. The collaboration with
MRCT on its well-validated antibody humanization technology is a further step
towards becoming effective biotherapeutic drug hunters," said David Nicholson,
EVP of R&D at Organon.
TAG has a proven track record of success in antibody humanization which
extends over 18 years and encompasses around 30 successfully humanized
antibodies," said Dr. Tarran Jones, Director of TAG. "Eight of these humanized
antibodies have progressed to the clinic and two, Elan/Biogen Idec's Tysabri® and
Chugai/Roche's Actemra®, have gone on to achieve market approval. We are
looking forward to applying our expertise in collaboration with Organon to
humanize their monoclonal antibody which addresses such an important disease
area."
Antibody humanization
Antibody humanization, also known as CDR-grafting (CDR is a synonym for
complementarity determining region) was first invented at the MRC Laboratory of
Molecular Biology in the UK by Dr. Sir Greg Winter and patented by the MRC in the late
1980's. CDR-grafting involves the genetic transfer of mouse CDRs (which are responsible
for antigen binding) into human frameworks of a variable region. A variable region is one
domain of an immunoglobulin chain, a whole antibody itself comprising of one light and
one heavy immunoglobulin chain. The key to success in antibody humanization is a careful
analysis of the mouse antibody to identify key framework residues important for the
preservation of antibody function in the humanized antibody.
About Organon
Organon creates, manufactures and markets innovative prescription medicines that
improve the health and quality of human life. Through a combination of innovation and
business partnerships, Organon seeks to leverage its position as a leading
biopharmaceutical company in each of its core therapeutic fields: fertility, gynecology and
selected areas of anesthesia. It has extensive expertise in neuroscience and a rich and
focused R&D program. Research areas also include immunology and specific areas of
oncology. Organon products are distributed in over 100 countries worldwide, of which more
than 50 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human healthcare business unit of
Akzo Nobel.
About Medical Research Council Technology (MRCT)
MRCT is the exclusive commercialisation catalyst for the UK Medical Research Council
(MRC), working to translate cutting edge scientific discoveries into commercial products.
MRCT bridges the gap between innovative basic science and making medicine. By
providing both chemical tools and therapeutic antibody candidates, we give pharmaceutical
and biotechnology companies new starting points for drug discovery and development,
based on MRC advances in science.
MRCT's Therapeutic Antibody Group (TAG) scientists have a proven track record of
success in antibody humanisation which extends over 18 years and has produced 8
clinical candidates and two regulatory approved humanised antibodies. TAG collaborates
with MRC scientists to translate innovative antibody-based drug targets into potent and
selective therapeutic antibody candidates which can then be partnered with industry. In
addition, MRCT provides the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry access to the
world-class antibody humanisation and expression expertise of TAG.
Safe Harbor Statement Organon*
This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as growth strategy, future
financial results, market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and
product approvals of Organon. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should be
understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements.
These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, progress of drug
development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel costs,
pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory
measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information
provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors
affecting our business please see our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the company's corporate website
akzonobel.
* Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.
View drug information on Actemra; Tysabri.
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