Millennium Pharmaceuticals Expands Relationship with Abgenix, Gaining Access to XenoMouse Technology for Fully Human Antibody Development

Strategic Insights -

Millennium Pharmaceuticals, a leading drug discovery and development company, has signed an agreement with Abgenix, Inc. to expand their relationship, granting Millennium access to Abgenix's XenoMouse technology for the creation of fully human antibodies. This agreement is a significant step in Millennium's efforts to build a pipeline of potent, refined, and selective antibody therapeutics. The XenoMouse technology allows for the quick generation of antibody product candidates, making it a valuable tool in the development of monoclonal antibodies.

Under the agreement, Abgenix will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and potential future payments totaling up to $100 million plus royalties on product sales. Millennium will make undisclosed payments to Abgenix, with the first payment to be made within two years, subject to the achievement of agreed-upon milestones. This agreement provides Millennium with broad access to Abgenix's XenoMouse technology for research and commercial use. Furthermore, Millennium will receive commercial licenses without further fees or milestone payments, allowing them to leverage this technology for the development of their therapeutic antibody pipeline.

"We are delighted to be working with Abgenix, a world leader in human antibody generation technology," said Christopher Mirabelli, PhD, president, pharmaceutical research and development of Millennium. "This strategic relationship with Abgenix rounds out our capabilities and reinforces our position as a key integrator in the field of therapeutic antibody research and development." This agreement aligns with Millennium's goal of building a strong pipeline of antibody therapeutics, including the preclinical and clinical development of compounds such as LDP-01 for treatment of stroke, LDP-02 for treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and CAMPATH, which is currently being evaluated by the FDA.

Key Takeaways:

  • Millennium has signed an agreement with Abgenix, Inc. for expanded access to XenoMouse technology for creating fully human antibodies.
  • The agreement provides Millennium with broad access to Abgenix's XenoMouse technology for research and commercial use.
  • Abgenix will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and potential future payments totaling up to $100 million plus royalties on product sales.
  • Millennium will make undisclosed payments to Abgenix, with the first payment to be made within two years, subject to the achievement of agreed-upon milestones.
  • This agreement builds upon Millennium's existing relationships with Medarex, Morphosys, and Professor Herman Waldmann, MD, PhD, at the University of Oxford.
  • Millennium has a strong pipeline of antibody therapeutics, including the development of monoclonal antibodies for cancer, multiple sclerosis, organ transplantation, inflammatory bowel disease, and stroke.
  • XenoMouse technology allows for the quick generation of antibody product candidates, making it a valuable tool in the development of monoclonal antibodies.

Statistics:

  • Millennium has a pipeline of preclinical and clinical therapeutic antibody candidates for a range of serious medical conditions.
  • Abgenix's XenoMouse technology can reduce the initial development time for a therapeutic monoclonal antibody by greater than 50 percent.
  • Millennium has existing relationships with three leading genomics companies: Curagen and Human Genome Sciences, in addition to Abgenix.
  • Millennium's relationship with Abgenix and other companies provides access to a variety of innovative and advanced technologies for generating novel antibodies.

Sources:

  • Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. press release (no date)
  • Abgenix, Inc. press release (no date)
  • Chris Mirabelli, PhD, quote
  • R. Scott Greer, CEO of Abgenix, quote
  • Mark Levin, CEO of Millennium, quote