Genzyme Transgenics in der Antikörper-Produktion - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[poor_one]

Antikörper sind zur Zeit von der gesamten Pharmaindustrie gefragt (siehe Interesse an Abgenix, Medarex, Morphosys). Als Schlager für die industrielle Produktion von Antikörpern könnte sich dabei das Genzyme-Verfahren erweisen, diese Proteine in Tiermilch zu produzieren. Das ist nämlich SEHR viel kostengünstiger als in Biofermentern mit Bakterien.

Diverse Firmen sind in Wartestellung, ob die Behörden die erste Zulassung für ein so hergestelltes Produkt erteilen, denn ein Produkt von GenzTr ist in Phase III, also der letzten Stufe der Arzneimittelentwicklung.

Wenn das zugelassen wird, hat GenzTr die absolut dominante Marktposition und massenweise Kunden.

[poor_one]

GENZYME TRANSGENCIS REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2000 FINANCIAL RESULTS


FRAMINGHAM, Mass., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Genzyme Transgenics Corporation (Nasdaq: GZTC) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended April 2, 2000. Revenues for the quarter were $18.9 million, a 28% increase from the $14.8 million reported for the same period in 1999. Revenues from transgenic collaborations were $3.6 million for the quarter, more than double the $1.7 million reported for the corresponding 1999 period. Total net loss for the quarter was $3.7 million, or $0.14 per share, compared with $6.5 million, or $0.35 per share, for the same quarter last year.

"We are extremely pleased with Genzyme Transgenics` accomplishments in the first quarter," stated Sandra Nusinoff Lehrman, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition to strong financial performance, we completed a successful follow-on offering of common stock in February, which generated over $75 million, demonstrated success in the clinic with our lead product, antithrombin III, and extended relationships with our corporate partners."

In the first quarter, Genzyme Transgenics expanded its monoclonal antibody franchise in several important areas. In March, the Company announced an agreement with Centocor, Inc., a unit of Johnson & Johnson to develop transgenic goats which will express a monoclonal antibody in their milk, representing the second monoclonal antibody Genzyme Transgenics is producing with Centocor. Genzyme Transgenics and Alexion Pharmaceuticals signed a recombinant protein production agreement in January, in which Genzyme Transgenics will work with Alexion to develop a large-scale manufacturing approach for one of Alexion`s recombinant protein products. During the quarter, the Company also expanded its relationship with Progenics to the supply of PRO-542 for clinical trials.

Genzyme Transgenics announced positive Phase III data for its lead product, antithrombin III. Transgenically produced rhATIII is the first transgenic drug candidate to reach and successfully complete a Phase III clinical evaluation. Enrollment in a second identical Phase III trial was completed at the end of the first quarter.

The Company also achieved several financing milestones in the first quarter. In February, the Company successfully completed a follow-on offering of 4,025,000 shares of common stock at $20 per share, raising approximately $75.2 million for the Company after offering expenses. The offering was underwritten by Warburg Dillon Read LLC and Chase H&Q. Also in February, all of the Company`s Series B Convertible Preferred shares were converted into common stock. Finally, in March, warrants to purchase 450,000 shares of common stock at $15.1563 per share were exercised by the holders resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $6.8 million.

John Green, Chief Financial Officer, said, "The completion of these financing transactions significantly strengthens the Company`s balance sheet and provides the necessary capital to fund growth and development of our programs." Revenues for Primedica Corporation, the Company`s wholly-owned subsidiary, were $15.4 million for the quarter, an 18% increase over the $13.1 million reported for the first quarter 1999. Net loss for Primedica Corporation decreased to $692,000 in the first quarter of 2000, compared with a net loss of $1.5 million for the comparable 1999 period.

Genzyme Transgenics Corporation is a leader in the application of transgenic technology to the development and production of monoclonal antibodies and other recombinant proteins for therapeutic and biomedical uses.

To date, the Company has formed more than a dozen collaboration agreements which provide for transgenic production of targeted proteins. The Company`s lead product, antithrombin III, is currently in Phase III clinical trials.