Abgenix; News - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

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Ich starte noch einmal einen Versuch mit Abgenix:

FREMONT, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) and ImmGenics, Inc. announced today a definitive agreement whereby Abgenix will acquire ImmGenics in an all-stock transaction. The transaction, which is expected to be completed by December 1, 2000, has been approved by both companies` boards of directors and remains subject to ImmGenics shareholder approval. Abgenix will exchange approximately U.S.$77 million (CAN$110 million) of its stock for all ImmGenics shares and options.

ImmGenics, founded in 1993, has developed a proprietary technology which can increase both the effectiveness and speed of antibody product discovery efforts. ImmGenics` technology dramatically increases the number of antibodies that can be screened for any given antigen target. This breakthrough technology is expected to allow Abgenix to rapidly select optimal product candidates from larger pools of antibodies.

"Abgenix is very excited to be adding this powerful technology to our growing collection of antibody product discovery tools," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and CEO of Abgenix. "We intend to maintain our technological leadership in the antibody field with both internal research initiatives and acquisitions. We also look forward to integrating ImmGenics` high caliber employee group with the Abgenix team." "Abgenix, with its industry leading XenoMouse(TM) human antibody technology and its commitment to enhancing antibody product discovery efforts, is the ideal partner for ImmGenics," stated Kevin Leslie, Ph.D., ImmGenics` president and CEO. "We enthusiastically anticipate combining our technology with Abgenix`s antibody product discovery program."

ImmGenics` technology involves screening antibodies directly from antibody-producing B cells rather than from hybridoma cell lines. This provides a much larger pool of candidates than are available with traditional hybridoma technology. ImmGenics` technology provides access to the complete immune response for the identification of antibodies with the desired functional properties and highest affinities. Abgenix estimates that this difference is between 100 and 1000 fold. In addition to providing greater antibody diversity, eliminating the hybridoma generation step will allow Abgenix to shorten product development timelines.

"With exclusive access to ImmGenics` technology, Abgenix will be able to offer unprecedented antibody diversity to specific antigen targets," stated C. Geoffrey Davis, Ph.D., Abgenix`s chief scientific officer. "By scanning the entire immune repertoire of an immunized XenoMouse, this technology will allow us to rapidly select the very best fully human antibodies, as defined by specificity, functional properties and affinity."

At the closing of the transaction, Abgenix will exchange approximately US$77 million (CAN$110 million) of Abgenix common stock, based on a 5-day average price, for all outstanding ImmGenics shares and options. For accounting purposes, the transaction will be treated as a purchase and the company will incur a significant, yet-to-be-determined, one-time charge in the fourth quarter, as well as ongoing amortization of goodwill. Operating expenses for Abgenix are anticipated to increase modestly, by approximately US$2-3 million annually as a result of this acquisition. Abgenix has a strong balance sheet including $560 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at June 30, 2000.

Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of antibody therapies for a variety of diseases. The company developed XenoMouse(TM) technology to enable the rapid generation of high affinity, fully human antibody product candidates to essentially any disease target appropriate for antibody therapy. Abgenix uses its XenoMouse technology to build a large and diversified product portfolio through the establishment of licensing arrangements with multiple pharmaceutical, biotechnology and genomics companies and through the development of its own internal proprietary products. For more information on Abgenix, visit the company`s website at www.abgenix.com.

ImmGenics Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a Vancouver-based biotechnology company that develops and intends to commercialize antibody-based therapeutic and diagnostic products for the treatment and diagnosis of a wide variety of diseases, including infectious diseases, cancer and inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

In conjunction with this press release, you are invited to listen to a conference call with R. Scott Greer, CEO of Abgenix; C. Geoffrey Davis, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Abgenix; and Kevin Leslie, Ph.D., CEO of ImmGenics. The conference call will be held on September 26, 2000 at 2:30 p.m. PST. To join the conference call, dial 800-553-0351 and mention the "Abgenix Conference Call". For international callers, dial 612-332-0228. An instant replay of the call will be available by 6:00 p.m. on September 26, 2000. The replay number is 800-475-6701 for U.S. callers and 320-365-3844 for international callers. The replay access code is 540393.

Statements made in this press release about Abgenix`s XenoMouse technology, product development activities and collaborative arrangements other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking statements and are subject to a number of uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including risks associated with the success of clinical trials, the progress of research and product development programs, the regulatory approval process, competitive products, future capital requirements and the extent and breadth of Abgenix`s patent portfolio. Please see Abgenix`s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information about risks that may affect Abgenix.

Except for the historical information presented, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include possible delays or failure by ImmGenics or its partners to develop and/or commercialize any technology covered by a collaborative agreement or agreements between ImmGenics and its partner or partners, possible risks related to adverse clinical results as products including any of such technology move into clinical trials, the impact of alternative technological advances and competition on the collaborative relationship between the parties, inherent risks in early stage development of such technology. Immgenics Technology Backgrounder

ImmGenics has developed a proprietary technology that enables researchers to rapidly scan the entire immune repertoire of an immunized animal and to select the B-cells producing antibodies with the desired functional properties and the highest affinities in a matter of days. In terms of scope and speed, the ImmGenics technology represents a significant advance over hybridoma technology, the standard method for generating monoclonal antibodies as practiced over the last twenty-five years. By combining this technology with Abgenix`s own XenoMouse technology, a large number of extremely high affinity, fully human antibodies can be isolated within two to three months following the first immunization. Hybridoma Technology

The development of hybridoma technology by Cesar Milstein and George Kohler in 1975 reshaped our thinking about the prospects of immunotherapy. Whereas previously patients had been treated with complex, poorly characterized mixtures of antibodies, usually in the form of horse serum, hybridoma technology offered the possibility of establishing a single homogeneous cell line producing a single antibody of a defined specificity -- a "monoclonal antibody."

The first step in hybridoma technology is to repeatedly inject a mouse with a target protein, the "antigen." Once the mouse`s response has been determined to be satisfactory, the antibody-producing B-cells are harvested and are fused with an immortalized myeloma cell line. The resulting immortal "hybridomas" may number from several hundred to several thousand. This number of antibody-producing cells, limited by the inefficiency of the fusion process, represents only a small fraction, on the order of one percent, of all the antibody-producing B-cells originally in the mouse. While this small fraction is usually adequate to produce quality antibodies, having access to the complete immune response may allow identification of rare or special antibodies with desired properties. For example, Abgenix believes that based upon ImmGenics` experience with the technology, routine identification of antibodies with ultra high affinities is possible. ImmGenics Technology

Advantages over hybridoma technology: A significant advantage of ImmGenics` technology is that the optimal antibody is selected from millions, rather than hundreds to thousands, of antibody-producing B-cells derived from an immunized mouse. This is accomplished by applying techniques for culturing the B-cells directly, thus bypassing hybridoma technology with its inherent inefficiency altogether. Using specially developed microplate-based assays, the B-cells are rapidly assayed over a period of several days. Typically, thousands of antigen-reactive cell-clones are identified, representing thousands of individual antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies. The number of different antigen-reactive monoclonal antibodies identified in a single experiment is typically increased by 100-fold or more. After applying additional rapid microplate-based assays to measure and rank antibodies by affinity and function, individual B-cell clones producing extremely high quality antibodies can be selected.

Another significant advantage of ImmGenics` technology is that by bypassing the hybridoma generation step, researchers can move rapidly into a recombinant manufacturing cell line. Individual B cells selected using the technology are isolated and the antibody genes can be directly introduced into a manufacturing cell line. The resulting cell line then can be developed for clinical trial testing over essentially the same timeline as that required for hybridoma cell line development.

Advantages over Phage Display Technology: Phage display technology, when applied to antibodies, also offers the potential of screening large numbers of antibody clones. However, there are several drawbacks to this approach. First, since for ethical reasons it is not practical to immunize humans, and the phage library is derived from human immune tissue, the library is typically "nonimmune." Therefore, the antibody response cannot be driven toward high specificity and high affinity and is instead a result of random combinations and mutagenesis. As a result, the antibodies derived from nonimmune human antibody phage display libraries are typically of substantially lower affinity than those derived from immunized donors. The combination of ImmGenics` technology with XenoMouse provides full access to the repertoire of fully human antibodies that have been naturally affinity matured in the mouse.

A second disadvantage of phage display is that the original pairing of the antibody heavy and light chains, both chains of which contribute to the antibody`s binding affinity, is lost in the cloning process, and the probability of restoring these original pairs is extremely low. As a result, significant manipulation may be required to achieve affinity levels appropriate for clinical trials. The combination of ImmGenics` technology and Abgenix`s XenoMouse takes advantage of the natural in vivo affinity maturation process and the maintenance of the original heavy and light chain pairs.

Gruß Bogo!

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Robertson Stephens Daily Growth Stock Update on COMS, APW, NITE, ABGX, CSGP, ETYS, FIF, GPS, IPIX, RTEC, VSEA

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Robertson Stephens, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, CRD number 41271:


Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: *!ABGX!*) ($79.95)
Strong Buy
Jay Silverman, Biopharmaceuticals
"Abgenix announced that it plans to acquire ImmGenics in a stock swap in which Abgenix plans to exchange approximately $77 million of its common stock for all outstanding shares and options of ImmGenics," said Silverman. "ImmGenics` technology provides for the direct screening of B-cells and, thus, the elimination of the inefficient and unwieldy hybridoma step from the standard Xenomouse technique. During the hybridoma step, the majority of harvested B-cells, each producing a different monoclonal antibody, fail the fusion process and are lost. Abgenix expects ImmGenics` technology to increase the number of antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies isolated per Xenomouse immunization by 100-fold or more. This enhanced ability for antibody discovery should enable Abgenix and its partners to discover higher affinity monoclonal antibodies faster. We believe such increased efficiency should translate into the development of better therapeutics over an accelerated period of time. Abgenix continues to elevate itself in the antibody discovery arena, in our view. We reiterate Strong Buy rating on the stock."

Gruß Bogo!

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War der Kursrutsch gestern berechtigt oder wird Abgenix aufgrund der Übernahme die Marktführerschaft weiter ausbauen?

Gruß Bogo!

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Weitere Einschätzungen vom 27.09.2000

Needham u. Co wiederholt ebenfalls Strong Buy!

Dain Rauscher Wessels Views:
ABGX Reiterate Buy Speculative, $85 Target, ’00 EPS estimate of ($0.15), ABGX purchases Immgenics.

Mal schaun, 1x 85$ und 2x strong buy?

Gruß Bogo!

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Fast auf ATH (USA) und 0,02$ Gewinn!

FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) today reported a net income of $1.5 million or $0.02 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2000, compared to a net loss of $1.3 million or $0.02 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 1999. Contract revenues for the current quarter increased to $7.6 million from $3.7 million for the same quarter in 1999. Including interest income, total revenues for the current quarter increased to $16.8 million from $4.4 million for the same period in 1999. While the increase in total revenues resulted in a profitable third quarter in 2000, the company does not expect to be consistently profitable for several years. Contract revenues include license fees and milestone payments from corporate partners which are dependent on the timing of certain events and will vary from quarter to quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, the company reported a net loss of $4.3 million compared to a net loss of $10.2 million in the same period of 1999. Contract revenues for the nine-month period in 2000 were $13.1 million compared to $5.4 million in the same period of 1999. Including interest income, total revenues for the nine-month period in 2000 increased to $35.4 million from $7.3 million for the same period in 1999. These revenues did not include non-refundable payments received from corporate partners and recorded as deferred revenue, pursuant to the guidance contained in Staff Accounting Bulletin 101. Deferred revenue totaled $14.4 million as of September 30, 2000.

Abgenix ended the third quarter with approximately $545 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. In addition, Abgenix holds long-term investments, primarily equity in corporate partners, totaling $71.6 million.

Third quarter company highlights included:
-- Entering co-development and commercialization agreements for two of our
proprietary products, ABX-EGF (Immunex) and ABX-CBL (SangStat),
-- Entering a collaboration with ImmunoGen, Inc., whereby Abgenix gains
broad access to ImmunoGen`s tumor-activated prodrug (TAP) technology to
use with our fully human antibodies,
-- Continuing to build our organization with key hires including
Gayle Mills as vice president, Business Development and John Meyer as
vice president, Human Resources, and,
-- Reaching an agreement to acquire ImmGenics and its proprietary high
throughput antibody discovery technology.

In addition, Abgenix recently announced the first licensee product to enter the clinic with Pfizer`s IND filing of an antibody product candidate generated with our XenoMouse(TM) technology. There are now three fully human antibodies from our technology being tested in human clinical trials.

Gruß Bogo!

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Von einem anderen Board-Anbieter
Abgenix Inc. (ABGX) veröffentlichte gestern sein Ergebnis. Der Gewinn lag demnach bei 1,5 Millionen US$ oder $ 0,02/Aktie. Im Jahr zuvor veröffentlichte man noch einen Verlust von 1,3 Millionen US$ oder $ 0,02/Aktie.

Der Umsatz konnte von 3,7 Millionen US$ im Vorjahr auf aktuell 7,6 Millionen US$ gesteigert werden.

Per Ende des 3. Quartales kann Abgenix einen Cashbestand von rund 545 Millionen US$ ausweisen.

Gruß Bogo!

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NEW YORK, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Lehman Bros. said Thursday it raised its ratings on Protein Design Labs Inc. <PDLI.O> and Abgenix Inc. <ABGX.O> to outperform from neutral.

Drug developer Protein Design Labs` price target was boosted to $170, and near-term drivers could potentially include new humanization or technology licensing agreements and clinical data on several pipeline products.

The company is attractively valued relative to other antibody service companies, Lehman said.

Protein Design shares closed Wednesday at $125-23/64, off a 52-week high of $169, up from a year low of $18-5/8.

Antibody therapy developer Abgenix`s upgrade is in response to a series of recent accomplishments, including deals with Immunex Corp. <IMNX.O> on ABX-EGF and SangStat Medical Corp. <SANG.O> on ABX-CBL, and Pfizer Inc.`s <PFE.N> filing of an investigational new drug on the first Abgenix antibody demonstrates that its partners are moving forward with clinical trials with licensed antibodies.

Lehman also said new technology acquired with ImmGenics increases the speed and effectiveness of Abgenix`s antibody discovery efforts.

Abgenix`s new price target is $115. Shares of Abgenix closed Wednesday at $89-1/8, off a 52-week high of $103-1/4.

Gruß Bogo!

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Nachdem ich den letzten Kursrutsch im Urlaub verschlafen habe, hier mal wieder ein paar erfreuliche Neuigkeiten!

FREMONT, Calif. and NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX), an antibody-based biopharmaceutical company and CuraGen Corporation (Nasdaq: CRGN), an integrated genomics-based drug discovery and development company, announced today the expansion of their strategic alliance to develop and commercialize genomics-based antibody drugs using XenoMouse(TM) technology and CuraGen`s suite of functional genomic technologies. The goal of this collaboration is to develop antibody therapeutics against the most promising antibody drug targets within the human genome. Throughout this five-year alliance, the companies intend to develop and test up to 250 fully human antibody therapeutic candidates, expanding upon their original agreement to develop up to 120 candidates. The antibody therapeutic candidates are intended to treat a broad range of diseases, including metabolic diseases, cancer, inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Under this new agreement, CuraGen will work exclusively with Abgenix to develop selected antibodies, and Abgenix will make an equity investment in CuraGen totaling $50 million. In addition, each company expects to invest an additional $100 million in support of this collaboration over the life of the agreement.

"Abgenix is pleased to be expanding its highly productive relationship with CuraGen, a leading genomics company with a very impressive collection of antibody drug targets derived from the human genome," stated R. Scott Greer, President and CEO of Abgenix. "Our scientists are very impressed with CuraGen`s genomics-based target discovery efforts, which we consider an ideal complement to our antibody product generation capability."

"CuraGen has systematically harvested and characterized 2,182 potential antibody drug targets from the human genome. Our expanded collaboration with Abgenix provides us with a breakthrough technology that is enabling us to turn these targets into drugs on a scale, and at a speed, not previously attainable," said Jonathan M. Rothberg, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman, and CEO of CuraGen Corporation. "In only nine months we have advanced from target discovery to potential antibody drugs based upon their relevance to human disease. CuraGen and Abgenix scientists will then select the most promising 250 targets to raise antibodies against, and test the resulting fully human antibodies in cell and animal disease models, prior to developing them as potential therapeutics," added Dr. Rothberg.

Gruß Bogo!

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Weil man von guten Neuigkeiten nicht genug bekommen kann, gleich die Nächste hinterher!

FREMONT, Calif., and SEATTLE, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) and Immunex Corporation (Nasdaq: IMNX) today announced a multi- year collaboration designed to discover, develop and potentially commercialize fully human monoclonal antibody therapies for the treatment of various forms of cancer.

Abgenix and Immunex each will contribute five cancer-specific antigen targets during the first five years of the collaboration. In addition to contributing cancer-specific antigens, the parties will contribute their respective proprietary technologies and development capabilities. Abgenix will utilize its XenoMouse(TM) technology to generate, screen and characterize human monoclonal antibodies directed against each antigen target. Immunex will utilize its extensive expertise in target validation and pre-clinical biology. The companies will share equally in the development and commercialization of any therapeutic anti-cancer antibody product.

Abgenix and Immunex have an existing co-development and commercialization collaboration for ABX-EGF, a fully human monoclonal antibody created by Abgenix and being developed for the treatment of several tumor types.

"Abgenix is pleased to expand our relationship with Immunex through this multi-product alliance," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and CEO of Abgenix. "Abgenix and Immunex share a common belief that antibody-based cancer therapies can play a significant role in improving the lives of cancer patients."

"Our relationship with Abgenix helps achieve two stated goals for Immunex: we continue to strengthen our position at the forefront of cancer research and expand our growing competency in monoclonal antibody technology," said Ed Fritzky, Immunex Chairman and CEO.

Gruß Bogo!

P.S. Für mich entwickelt sich Abgenix zu einem der Biotechplayer schlechthin.

[Ained]

soviele gute news und trotzdem faellt der Kurs?
WAS IST DENN DA LOS ??

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@Ained
Es gibt derzeit kaum einen Wert der nicht nach unten geprügelt wurde. Sieht man eine Anlage in Abgenix als Investment auf ca. 5 Jahre an, wirst Du diesem Kurs noch einmal hinterher trauern!
Bis die neuen Verträge allerdings Früchte tragen gehen schon noch ein paar Jahre ins Land. Erste Folgen der Kooperationen kann man (neben den eigen Produkten) an der Kooperation mit Pfizer erkennen. Soweit wie Abgenix ist derzeit noch keiner unter den Antikörpernproduzenten. Zudem wird konsequent Wissen aufgekauft um die eigene Technologie zu verbessern bzw. zu erweitern. Die gestrigen Meldungen sind übrigens anläßlich der Investorenkonferenz bei Robertson/Stephens gemeldet worden.
Fazit: Durch die derzeitigen Kursschwankungen sollte man sich nicht beirren lassen!

Gruß an Arwa!

Bogo!

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FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 30, 2000--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX), and SangStat (Nasdaq:SANG) reported today that ABX-CBL has been granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ABX-CBL, an antibody developed by Abgenix, is a murine anti-CD147 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of steroid-resistant graft versus host disease (GVHD), and is currently in a multi-center, randomized and controlled Phase II/III study. Approximately 25% of patients that undergo an allogeneic bone marrow transplant develop steroid resistant GVHD, for which there is currently no standard approved therapy available.

Orphan drug designation is granted to applicants when the prevalence of the disease occurs in less than 200,000 patients in the United States. The advantages of this designation include: exemption from the user fee; seven-year marketing exclusivity to the sponsor who obtains marketing approval for the designated orphan drug product, beginning on the date that a marketing application is approved by the FDA; tax credits for development costs; and eligibility for research grants to conduct clinical trials. These advantages are intended to encourage sponsors to develop drugs for patients with rare diseases.

"This is a very positive development in the ABX-CBL program, particularly on the eve of this week`s American Society of Hematology meeting in San Francisco, which is one of the premier bone marrow transplant/hematology meetings," said Jean-Jacques Bienaime, Chairman, CEO and President of SangStat.

In August 2000, Abgenix and SangStat entered into a global co-development, supply and license agreement for ABX-CBL. Under the agreement, SangStat will have an exclusive worldwide license for the marketing and sale of ABX-CBL and, subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement, the right to commercialize other anti-CD147 antibodies. Abgenix will be responsible for manufacturing ABX-CBL. Development costs will be shared equally, as would any potential profits from sales of collaboration products. SangStat and Abgenix will share responsibility for product development, including the ongoing trial.

The Phase II/III study is designed to demonstrate statistically significant efficacy of a single dose level of ABX CBL in comparison to a control group of patients. In an earlier Phase II trial completed in the fall of 1999, 52% of patients receiving 0.1 - 0.3 mg/kg ABX-CBL survived at least 100 days following initiation of therapy, compared to 22% of patients receiving the presumed no effect dose of 0.01 mg/kg.

Gruß Bogo!

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Hier ein Vorweihnachtsgeschenk:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective with the market open on Monday, December 18, 2000, the components of Nasdaq-100 Index(R) will change.

The following issues will be added to the Nasdaq-100 Index: BEA Systems, Inc. (BEAS); Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP); Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (MLNM); Exodus Communications, Inc. (EXDS); Flextronics International Ltd. (FLEX); Rational Software Corporation (RATL); Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (HGSI); Mercury Interactive Corporation (MERQ); IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation (IDPH), Inktomi Corporation (INKT); Abgenix, Inc. (ABGX); and TMP Worldwide Inc. (TMPW).

Gruß Bogo!

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FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) announced today the start of a Phase IIa multi-center clinical trial of ABX-IL8 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The company is also conducting a Phase IIa clinical trial with ABX-IL8 in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, and expects to report results of this study in the first quarter of 2001.

"We are pleased with the potential utility of ABX-IL8 in various inflammatory diseases," stated R. Scott Greer, president and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "ABX-IL8 is the first fully human antibody created using our XenoMouse(TM) technology, and we hope to broaden the number of patients who could benefit from this promising new therapy."

The Phase IIa trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ABX-IL8 in rheumatoid arthritis. A total of 132 patients across 20 clinical sites in the U.S. will participate in the study. Patients will receive a total of four doses of ABX-IL8 every three weeks over a 12-week period. The primary efficacy analysis will be measured by percentage of patients who achieve the American College of Rheumatology 20% responder criteria (ACR20), defined as a minimum improvement of 20% in patients` rheumatoid arthritis.

ABX-IL8 is a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against Interleukin-8, a chemokine that is produced at sites of inflammation and attracts and activates inflammatory cells such as neutrophils. Elevated levels of IL-8 in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients have been correlated with the number of infiltrating neutrophils. Pre-clinical studies of antibodies to IL-8 were shown to block neutrophil infiltration and synovial membrane damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease marked by inflammation and pain in joints throughout the body. The disease affects over two million people in the United States.

Gruß Bogo!

[biotechholder]

Bogo!

Was haelst Du von einem indirekten Investment an
Abgenix durch CEGE (Cell Genesys)?


CEGE haelt einen ca. 12% Anteil an Abgenix und zwar schon
seit ca. 2 Jahren.

Ferner hat CEGE ein P/E von unter 10!

cheers
fox

www.feel.ch

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Hallo Biotechholder,

der Anteil von CEGE beträgt nur noch 10,5%. Nimmt man die derzeitige Marktkapitalisierung als Rechengrundlage gebe ich Dir vollkommen Recht! Die Patente von CEGE gibt es quasi fast umsonst. Trotzdem wird es noch ein weilchen dauern bis die eigene Pipeline von CEGE an den Markt kommt. Spätestens dann sollte sich CEGE zu dem Gentherapie-Player schlechthin entwickeln. Das Geld wird jedenfalls bei CEGE für die Entwicklung reichen, da es auch bei Abgenix in den nächsten Jahren noch ordentliche Kurssteigerungen geben sollte (Markt soll jährlich um 30% im Bereich Antikörper steigen). CEGE hatte in diesem Jahr erste Abgenix-Anteile veräußert und somit hohen Cash-Bestand!

Mein Fazit: Beide kaufen, Abgenix auf Sicht von 5 Jahren, CEGE auf Sicht von > 7 Jahren. Zwischendurch immer mal wieder Gewinne mitnehmen. CEGE ist auf derzeitigem Niveau fast ein Muß!

Kurzinfo zu meiner Person: Bin nicht aus dem Biotechbereich sondern eher technisch versiert. Anlagen tätige ich normalerweise langfristig!

Gruß Bogo!

[biotechholder]

Guten Tag Bogo!

Thanks for your info!
Das ist Qualitaet!
Du verstehst was von der Materie!

Ich empfehle uebrigens zusaetzlich noch (wie immmer)
den BBH Biotechholder Fund von Merrill Lynch.

Da hat man das Beste vom Feinsten!

z.b.:

Genentech DNA
Amgen AMGN
Immunex IMNX
Applera ABI
Biogen BGEN
Medimmune MEDI
Chiron CHIR

usw!!

cheers and aloha!
fox

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Danke für die Blumen, aber so toll ist es mit meinen Kentnissen dann doch nicht. Insbesondere das mit dem Gewinn mitnehmen fällt noch schwer, hoffe Du hast heute zugeschlagen, aber vielleicht gibt es ja noch mal ne Gelegenheit.

Abgenix hat gestern nach Börsenschluß die folgende Patenanmeldung mitgeteilt:

FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued another patent to Abgenix relating to the company`s XenoMouse(TM) technology, its core technology for generating fully human monoclonal antibodies.

The newest patent, entitled "Human Antibodies From Immunized XenoMice," U.S. Patent Number 6,150,584, covers transgenic mice with certain specified genetic modifications allowing them to produce fully human antibodies. Abgenix`s XenoMouse transgenic mouse strains possess an immune system in which the mouse antibody-producing genes have been inactivated and functionally replaced by human antibody-producing genes. The resulting immune response from the repeated administration of a target antigen into a XenoMouse is the production of antibodies that are fully human and specific to the antigen.

This patent marks the fourth U.S. patent that Abgenix has received claiming its XenoMouse technology and builds on the company`s proprietary position in the field of human monoclonal antibodies. Abgenix also has granted patents in Europe and Japan.

Gruß Bogo!

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Heute gibt es eine weiterere Zusammenarbeit mit Lexicon:

THE WOODLANDS, Texas and FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexicon Genetics Incorporated (Nasdaq: LEXG) and Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) announced today a multi-year knockout drug target validation collaboration. Lexicon will use its patented technologies and extensive medically relevant mammalian assays to validate potential drug targets for Abgenix`s discovery and development of therapeutic human antibodies. This agreement marks the second collaboration between Abgenix and Lexicon. No financial terms were disclosed.

"We are pleased that Abgenix, a leader in the field of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, recognizes the importance of Lexicon`s knockout validated drug targets for its internal drug discovery efforts," said Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Lexicon. "This collaboration offers the potential to discover and, ultimately, to develop novel antibody therapies directed at targets that have undergone a superior level of validation."

"Lexicon`s in vivo validation of relevant drug targets gives us the ability to more efficiently and effectively identify and generate high affinity, therapeutic antibody products," said R. Scott Greer, Chairman and CEO of Abgenix. "In the race for drug discovery, we believe Lexicon`s patented technology will give us an advantage by directing our efforts to the most promising drug targets."

Through this collaboration, Abgenix also gains access to Lexicon`s OmniBank library of over 100,000 knockout mouse clones, with each clone capable of rapidly generating a knockout mouse. Under the terms of the agreement, Lexicon will receive research project fees for each knockout mouse developed by Lexicon for Abgenix and license fees for each novel gene chosen from OmniBank. Lexicon may also receive milestone and royalty payments on each antibody product developed from a novel gene discovered in OmniBank as well as certain mouse models developed by Lexicon in which Abgenix exercises an exclusive license for the use of such mouse model. Lexicon retains exclusive rights for all therapeutic categories outside of the antibody field using targets from this collaboration.

In July 2000, Lexicon and Abgenix announced a drug discovery alliance to discover novel antibody drugs using Lexicon`s functional genomics technologies and Abgenix` technology for generating fully human antibodies. In the July 2000 alliance, which is continuing to progress, Lexicon and Abgenix sequentially choose validated, fully humanized antibodies from the alliance for their individual drug discovery efforts.

Lexicon Genetics Incorporated is a leader in defining the functions of genes for drug discovery using large-scale knockout mouse technology. Complementary to its gene-specific custom knockout technology, Lexicon has invented high-throughput genome-wide gene trapping technology to discover thousands of genes and expand its OmniBank(R) library of tens of thousands of knockout mouse clones. The Company uses an integrated platform of functional genomics technologies to accelerate large-scale analysis of mammalian gene function for drug discovery. Lexicon`s Internet exchange, www.lexgen.com enables researchers worldwide to access the OmniBank library and form collaborations with Lexicon to discover pharmaceutical products based on genes and knowledge of their functions. Lexicon has established drug discovery collaborations with Abgenix, Inc. and Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a LexVision (TM) collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, and functional genomics and OmniBank alliances with many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including American Home Products, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., N.V. Organon, Pharmacia Corp., The R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute of Johnson & Johnson and Tularik, Inc., as well as leading academic institutions worldwide. Additional Company information is available at www.lexicon- genetics.com.

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FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) announced today the decision to proceed with a Phase IIb clinical trial of ABX-IL8 in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The decision to move forward is based on meeting pre-determined safety and efficacy criteria in an interim analysis of an ongoing Phase IIa study. The company intends to present the Phase IIa results in detail at the American Academy of Dermatology meeting in March 2001. Abgenix plans to initiate the Phase IIb trial in the first quarter of 2001.

"Abgenix is encouraged by the preliminary data from the Phase IIa trial in psoriasis and looks forward to performing the next study," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "ABX-IL8 is the first fully human antibody created using our XenoMouse(TM) technology, to enter clinical testing. We are delighted by the clinical progress achieved with this therapeutic candidate thus far, and plan to explore its utility in several clinical indications."

The Phase IIa trial was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of ABX-IL8 in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. It involved 100 patients at 20 sites in the U.S. receiving one of two dose levels of ABX-IL8 or placebo. Study medication was administered once every 3 weeks for five consecutive doses, followed by a 24-week observation period.

The Phase IIb trial is designed to confirm the safety and efficacy of ABX-IL8 and to determine the optimal dose. It will enroll 225 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who will be randomized to receive one of two dose levels of ABX-IL8 or placebo. Treatment frequency and duration will be the same as in the Phase IIa study. Efficacy analyses will include Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores and Physician Global Assessment (PGA), which are standard measures of severity of psoriasis.

ABX-IL8 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine involved in the inflammatory process by first enabling immune cells, including neutrophils, to migrate to sites of inflammation and subsequently activating them. Clinical data suggest that excess of IL-8 may be associated with certain inflammatory disorders including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary disorders.

Abgenix is testing ABX-IL8 in psoriasis because of its potential to intervene at multiple steps in the disease pathology by blocking IL-8. Scientific studies have shown that IL-8 levels can be elevated 150-fold in psoriatic tissue when compared to normal tissue. In addition to contributing to the inflammation process, IL-8 is also a growth factor for skin cells that are proliferating in psoriatic tissue. Finally, IL-8 is a potent angiogenesis factor and may be contributing to the formation of new blood vessels that are found in psoriatic lesions.

In addition to psoriasis, Abgenix is concurrently conducting a Phase IIa clinical trial of ABX-IL8 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease that results in plaques, a thickening and scaling of the skin accompanied by local inflammation. The disease affects approximately four to five million people in the United States and can be debilitating in its most severe form. Approximately 500,000 psoriasis patients suffer from a severe enough form of the disease to require systemic therapy with immune suppressants and ultraviolet phototherapy. The risk of serious adverse side effects associated with these therapies often requires the patients to alternate between various therapeutic modalities as a precautionary measure.

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http://www.marketone.de/research/unt_news.php3?art=a&ID=1155…


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Thu Jan 04, 2001
• Alert: Robertson Stephens reiterates coverage of ABGX at Strong Buy (Headline only) Briefing.com - 12:23 PM EST

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Die interessanteste Meldung war gestern:

FREMONT, Calif., and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) and Dyax Corp. (Nasdaq: DYAX) announced today that they have entered into a collaboration to develop new technology for discovering and developing human antibody therapeutics. Under the collaboration, the Companies will combine Abgenix`s XenoMouse (TM) technology with Dyax`s proprietary phage display technology to create libraries of human antibody sequences. With the new libraries, the Companies expect to be able to rapidly generate novel antibody sequences for multiple types of therapeutic targets.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abgenix and Dyax will share equally in the costs of creating the new antibody libraries. Both companies have the right to use antibodies discovered from the libraries for in-house research use and are entitled to select a number of therapeutic product candidates from the libraries. The agreement additionally provides that for any antibody product developed, each Company will pay reciprocal commercialization fees to the other party. Financial terms of the collaboration are not disclosed.

By applying Dyax`s phage display technology subsequent to XenoMouse immunization, it will be possible to create complex libraries of high affinity antibodies. Panels of XenoMouse-derived phage display libraries could serve as a source for the rapid discovery of large numbers of fully human high affinity antibodies for any given antigen target. Such antibodies could have utility either as therapeutic candidates or as highly specific reagents for expediting the drug development process.

"Abgenix is pleased to be collaborating with Dyax, a recognized leader in phage display technology, in an effort to advance antibody discovery technologies," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and CEO of Abgenix. "The combination of our XenoMouse technology with Dyax`s phage display technology potentially creates a powerful new tool for drug discovery. We envision this new technology being deployed in our genomics-based antibody discovery program."

"This collaboration represents Dyax`s continued commitment to the development of new antibody technologies and therapeutic antibody product leads," said Henry Blair, chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dyax Corp. "By combining our proprietary phage display library technology with Abgenix`s XenoMouse platform, we establish a genuine synergy for discovering novel antibody compounds that could lead us to new products. We believe that this alliance with Abgenix, a leading developer of human monoclonal antibodies, is a valuable step in our strategy to streamline the steps from lead compound discovery to commercialization."



FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) announced today that it has extended its research collaboration, option and license agreement with Amgen, Inc. (Amgen). Under the extended agreement, Abgenix will use its XenoMouse(TM) technology to generate fully human monoclonal antibodies to antigen targets supplied by Amgen during the collaboration`s five-year term.

As in the terms of the April 1999 agreement, Abgenix will receive research payments and could receive milestone and license payments, plus royalties on any future product sales by Amgen. Amgen will be responsible for product development, manufacturing, and commercialization of any products developed through the collaboration.

"We are pleased to expand existing relationships with our customers," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "This commitment by Amgen exemplifies the growing interest for antibody therapeutics among leading biotechnology companies."

"We are pleased to extend our relationship with Abgenix," said Amgen executive vice president and head of research, Dennis M. Fenton, Ph.D. "This extended agreement provides Amgen with access to Abgenix`s fully human monoclonal antibody technology, which is a good strategic fit for our overall antibody strategy."



FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) announced today the inclusion of up to 10 additional antigen targets under an eight-year extension of its human antibody collaboration with Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE: PFE), raising the possible total product candidates to 15. Pfizer will be responsible for product development, manufacturing and marketing of any products developed through the collaboration. Abgenix will receive a fee to extend the agreement, and could continue to receive for each product, potential research fees, a license fee and milestone payments, plus royalties on any future product sales.

This represents the second expansion of Abgenix`s research collaboration with Pfizer, which began in December 1997 to provide Pfizer a license to XenoMouse(TM) technology for the generation of fully human antibodies to Pfizer`s antigen targets. The original agreement for three antibody product candidates was expanded in February 2000 to include two additional antibody product candidates.

In October 2000, the collaboration with Pfizer produced the first antibody product candidate from a XenoMouse technology collaboration in which an IND was filed with the FDA.

"We are pleased with Pfizer`s commitment to add ten new targets to our collaboration," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "Pfizer was our first XenoMouse partner and we are encouraged by their success with the technology."

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FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) today announced that it has entered into a manufacturing supply agreement with Lonza Biologics (Lonza) wherein Lonza will make available exclusively to Abgenix, for a period of five years, a cell culture production suite within its facility in Slough, England. The production suite will be used for the manufacture of antibody products in development by Abgenix and its licensees.

"We are extremely pleased to secure access to Lonza`s world-class facilities and expertise in the production of antibodies," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "We can now supply our projected need for clinical trial materials in spite of intensifying competition for antibody production capacity."

With this agreement, Abgenix gains access to production capacity and scheduling flexibility similar to owning the facility, while Lonza retains responsibility for staffing and operating the facility. The term of the agreement is for five years with an option to extend the agreement. The dedicated cell culture production suite with associated purification capacity is undergoing refurbishment and will be operational in the third quarter of 2001.

As previously disclosed, Abgenix is building a large multi-product manufacturing facility in Fremont, CA. This facility is expected to be operational by year-end 2002. Between the dedicated production suite at Lonza and the future capacity in Fremont, Abgenix expects to be able to meet its own and many of its collaborative partners` needs for clinical material.

Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of fully human monoclonal antibody therapies for a variety of diseases. The company`s antibody technology platform, which includes XenoMouse(TM) technology, enables the rapid generation of high affinity, fully human antibody product candidates to essentially any disease target appropriate for antibody therapy. Abgenix leverages its leadership position in human antibody technology by building a large and diversified product portfolio through the establishment of licensing arrangements with multiple pharmaceutical, biotechnology and genomics companies and through the development of its own internal proprietary products. For more information on Abgenix, visit the company`s website at www.abgenix.com.

Lonza Biologics is part of Lonza Group and is the world`s leader in contract development and production of therapeutic antibodies and proteins. The company undertakes highly specialized services for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries based on its nearly 20 years of experience in mammalian cell culture and on proprietary technology for the large-scale manufacturing of innovative pharmaceutical products. With headquarters in the United Kingdom, Lonza Biologics operates cGMP multi-product manufacturing facilities in Slough, United Kingdom and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For more information on Lonza Biologics, visit the company`s website at www.lonzagroup.com.

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Nachtrag:

Abgenix, 2 Other Companies Form Genomics Research Consortium
January 11, 2001 11:17 AM

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -(Dow Jones)- Abgenix Inc. (ABGX) formed Genrac LLC, a consortium with two other companies for functional genomics research.

In a press release Thursday, Genrac said the consortium also includes CJ America and Gene Research Access Corp.

The three companies will select functional genomics technology programs for research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee.

The consortium will also focus on identifying new mouse models for human genetic diseases.

Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company.

The company`s shares traded recently at $40, down 50 cents, or 1.2%, on Nasdaq volume of 611,500 shares. Average daily volume 1.5 million shares.

Company Web site: http://www.abgenix.com

-Stephen Lee; Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5400

(This story was originally published by Dow Jones Newswires)

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Lexicon Genetics Delivers Thirteen Novel Antigens to Abgenix for Antibody Development

THE WOODLANDS, Texas and FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexicon Genetics Incorporated (Nasdaq: LEXG) and Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) announced today that Lexicon has delivered to Abgenix, thirteen (13) human antigens for antibody development as part of the companies` drug discovery alliance. This marks the first of many antigens to be delivered to Abgenix for the discovery of antibody-based drugs.

A joint steering committee, consisting of scientists from both Lexicon and Abgenix, selected the thirteen (13) novel human antigens from Lexicon`s proprietary portfolio of novel, full-length human genes. Lexicon is utilizing its proprietary knockout technology to determine the biological function of these genes to help determine the medical relevance of the drug targets they encode. Simultaneously, Abgenix is applying its XenoMouse(TM) technology to develop fully human antibodies directed at each of these drug targets. The union of these powerful technologies could result in the discovery and commercialization of multiple novel drugs for many diseases. It also has the potential to create a broad intellectual property package that covers antibody-based drugs, and broadly covers the use of the targeted receptors for developing therapeutic agents.

"This milestone demonstrates the value of our portfolio of novel human genes and the promise of our patented approach to drug target validation," said Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Lexicon. "We believe Lexicon`s success at identifying the best targets and Abgenix`s ability to rapidly generate fully human monoclonal antibodies should provide both companies with numerous product opportunities as we move forward in this highly productive alliance."

"We believe that the combination of Lexicon`s drug target validation technology with Abgenix`s XenoMouse antibody technology provides synergies that will accelerate the discovery and development of promising antibody drug candidates," said R. Scott Greer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Abgenix. "The selection and delivery of these antigens is an important confirmation of the unique strengths of our alliance."

In July 2000, Lexicon and Abgenix established this alliance to discover novel antibody drugs using targets derived from Lexicon`s proprietary portfolio of full-length human genes. Under the alliance agreement, Lexicon and Abgenix will each have the right to obtain exclusive commercialization rights, including sublicensing rights, for an equal number of qualifying antibodies. Each company will receive milestone payments and royalties on sales of antibody drugs from the collaboration that are commercialized by the other party or a third party sublicensee.

Lexicon Genetics Incorporated is a leader in defining the functions of genes for drug discovery using large-scale knockout mouse technology. Complementary to its gene-specific custom knockout technology, Lexicon has invented high-throughput genome-wide gene trapping technology to discover thousands of genes and expand its OmniBank(R) library of tens of thousands of knockout mouse clones. The Company uses an integrated platform of functional genomics technologies to accelerate large-scale analysis of mammalian gene function for drug discovery. Lexicon`s Internet exchange, www.lexgen.com, enables researchers worldwide to access the OmniBank library and form collaborations with Lexicon to discover pharmaceutical products based on genes and knowledge of their functions. Lexicon has established drug discovery alliances with Abgenix, Inc. and Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a LexVision(TM) collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, and functional genomics and OmniBank collaborations with many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including American Home Products, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., N.V. Organon, Pharmacia Corp., The R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute of Johnson & Johnson and Tularik, Inc., as well as leading academic institutions worldwide. Additional Company information is available at www.lexicon-genetics.com.

Gruß Bogo!

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für alle, die sich fragen, warum der Kurs in den letzten Tagen so fiel - Quelle: http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/010131/n31509270.html

Alexion tumbles on confusion over heart-trial drug data
By Ransdell Pierson

NEW YORK, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Shares of Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NasdaqNM:ALXN - news) fell sharply on Wednesday as analysts cited confusion with trial data on the company`s experimental anti-inflammatory drug used to treat patients undergoing heart surgery.

Shares of the Cheshire, Conn.-based biotech firm closed down $7-11/16 to $52-5/16, or almost 13 percent, on the Nasdaq. That follows declines of $9 on Tuesday and $5-3/4 on Monday -- for a total drop of 30 percent since Jan. 26.

Alexion on Jan. 23 issued a statement that indicated clinical trial data showed strong efficacy of its drug, pexelizumab, in reducing death and heart attacks among patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

In the statement, the company described positive preliminary results from the Phase II trial as ``unanticipated`` and Alexion Chief Executive Leonard Bell said the data ``substantially surpassed ... pre-trial expectations.``

Shares of the firm, which is developing pexelizumab in collaboration with the pharmaceuticals unit of consumer products giant Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG - news), shot up and closed almost 25 percent higher that day.

But data highlighted in the Jan. 23 release, as it turns out, referred to secondary trial data involving a subgroup of patients tested, not to data about the primary goal of the trial among all 914 patients tested. At the time, many assumed the statement referred to the primary goals of the trial, analysts said.

Alexion issued another statement on the evening of Friday, Jan. 26, saying the drug actually failed in its combined primary goal, or endpoint, of reducing small heart attacks, neurological deficits and damage to the left ventricle, the heart`s pumping chamber.

``In the original press release, there was no mention at all of a primary endpoint, not even a passing reference. It made (the trial) sound like an overwhelming success, when it actually missed its primary endpoint,`` said drug analyst Robert Leboyer of Leerink Swann & Co.

Another analyst, who asked not to be mentioned by name, said data from the trial were impressive enough that the company now plans a larger Phase III trial of the drug in heart-surgery patients.

``But people don`t feel comfortable with the company anymore. There`s a lot of disbelief in the data. People would feel more comfortable if Alexion had done an upfront analysis`` in the first statement, the analyst said.

Bell, a former Yale professor of medicine, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday that he and his company had been straightforward with investors and analysts.

``We feel we disclosed everything in a detailed fashion,`` Bell said. Although the primary goal did not appear in the first statement, Bell said Alexion officials gave a detailed explanation of the primary goals of the trial in a conference call with analysts the day the release went out.

``We fully disclosed (the data on the primary goal) in the conference call. I think we made a full disclosure with about an hour-long discussion when we exquisitely went over our data,`` Bell said.

Based on favorable results among a subgroup of patients in the heart-surgery trial, Bell said the firm plans to conduct its follow-up Phase III study ``in mid-2001.``

Procter & Gamble spokeswoman Marlene Feder said Alexion`s results were ``promising`` and that P&G would continue to assist Alexion develop and test the drug.

``Our scientists will work with them to design their clinical trials going forward,`` Feder said. She declined to comment on Alexion`s Jan. 23 statement.

(Additional reporting by Jed Seltzer)

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SORRY - EIN BLÖDER FEHLER, wie jeder merken wird: Alexion Pharm., NICHT Abgenix ist gemeint ...

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License Involves Abgenix`s High Throughput Antibody Selection Technology

FREMONT, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) announced today an agreement with Celltech Group plc (NYSE: CLL; London: CCH) which provides Celltech with rights to use Abgenix`s proprietary high throughput antibody selection technology to rapidly identify high affinity candidates from antibodies Celltech will generate from human B-cells and ordinary mice. This is the first license by Abgenix of the SLAM (Selected Lymphocyte Antibody Method) technology platform it obtained when it acquired ImmGenics, Inc. in December 2000. The agreement does not license the use of Abgenix`s XenoMouse (TM) technology for generating fully human antibodies.

Under the terms of the agreement, Celltech will pay Abgenix $17 million in new Celltech ordinary shares plus a royalty on sales and grants to Abgenix an option to co-develop certain antibodies selected with Abgenix`s technology. In return, Celltech receives the right to employ Abgenix`s high throughput selection technology at Celltech`s Seattle Research Center to identify new proteins as drug discovery targets. In addition, Celltech obtains rights to use the Abgenix selection technology at Celltech`s Research Centre in Slough, UK, in relation to all of Celltech`s disease targets, with the exception of certain pre-defined proteins. The agreement provides for unlimited use of the technology in Celltech`s research operations, and its use in up to five antibodies per year entering clinical development.

"We are delighted to enter this agreement with Celltech, a leading antibody company," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "This agreement validates the value of our new screening technology platform and may provide additions to our growing portfolio of proprietary product candidates." Abgenix`s High Throughput Selection Technology

Advantages Over Hybridoma Technology: A significant advantage of Abgenix`s` high throughput selection technology is that the optimal antibody is selected from millions, rather than hundreds to thousands, of antibody-producing B-cells derived from an immunized mouse. This is accomplished by applying techniques for culturing the B-cells directly, thus bypassing hybridoma technology, which captures only about 1% of the antibodies originally generated by the mouse. Using specially developed microplate-based assays, the B-cells are rapidly assayed over a period of several days. Typically, thousands of antigen-reactive cell-clones are identified, representing thousands of individual antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies. The number of different antigen-reactive monoclonal antibodies identified in a single experiment is typically increased by 100 to 1000-fold. After applying additional rapid microplate-based assays to measure and rank antibodies by affinity and function, individual B-cell clones producing extremely high quality antibodies can be selected.

Another significant advantage of Abgenix`s high throughput selection technology is that by bypassing the hybridoma generation step, researchers can move rapidly into a recombinant manufacturing cell line. Individual B cells selected using the technology are isolated and the antibody genes can be directly introduced into a manufacturing cell line. The resulting cell line then can be developed for clinical trial testing over essentially the same timeline as that required for hybridoma cell line development.

Advantages Over Phage Display Technology: Phage display technology, when applied to antibodies, also offers the potential of screening large numbers of antibody clones. However, there are several drawbacks to this approach. First, since for ethical reasons it is not practical to immunize humans, and the phage library is derived from human immune tissue, the library is typically "nonimmune." Therefore, the antibody response cannot be driven toward high specificity and high affinity and is instead a result of random combinations and mutagenesis. As a result, the antibodies derived from nonimmune human antibody phage display libraries are typically of substantially lower affinity than those derived from immunized donors. The combination of Abgenix`s high throughput selection technology with XenoMouse provides full access to the repertoire of fully human antibodies that have been naturally affinity matured in the mouse.

A second disadvantage of phage display is that the original pairing of the antibody heavy and light chains, both chains of which contribute to the antibody`s binding affinity, is lost in the cloning process, and the probability of restoring these original pairs is extremely low. As a result, significant manipulation may be required to achieve affinity levels appropriate for clinical trials. The combination of Abgenix`s high throughput selection technology and Abgenix`s XenoMouse takes advantage of the natural in vivo affinity maturation process and the maintenance of the original heavy and light chain pairs.

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Monday March 5, 7:04 am Eastern Time

Abgenix`s ABX-IL8 Antibody Associated With Statistically Significant Improvement in Psoriasis
Phase IIa Trial Also Shows Excellent Safety Profile

Abgenix, Inc. presented the results of its Phase IIa clinical trial of ABX-IL8 for use in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis at a meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in Washington, D.C. ABX-IL8 is a fully human monoclonal antibody generated with Abgenix`s XenoMouse(TM) technology that blocks the activity of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine involved in several inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary disorders.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIa study of ABX-IL8 included 94 moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients at 18 sites in the U.S. Two doses of ABX-IL8 were assessed, 3mg/kg and 6mg/kg. ABX-IL8 was administered every three weeks for a total of five infusions; the first dose was a 2x loading dose. Patients were evaluated at three-week intervals through Week 18. The primary objective of the phase IIa study was to evaluate the safety of ABX-IL8 at the doses administered, while the Phase IIb study is designed to confirm the efficacy of ABX-IL8.

The following conclusions were presented at the AAD meeting:

-ABX-IL8 administered intravenously at doses ranging up to 6 mg/kg appears to be safe and well tolerated.
-No human anti-human antibody formation was detected up to six weeks following multiple dose administrations of ABX-IL8.
-No infusion-related reactions were seen at any dose at any time point.
-Pharmacokinetics of ABX-IL8 are linear. Serum steady-state was achieved following the second dose.
-ABX-IL8 (3mg/kg) was associated with a statistically significant improvement in plaque psoriasis as assessed by change from baseline Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores (see Attachment, Tables 1 and 2), and Physician Global Assessments. The effect of ABX-IL8 at 6mg/kg was not statistically significantly different from that of 3 mg/kg.
-Patients who achieved a 75% improvement in PASI maintained that response through Week 36.
-Retrospective subset analysis indicated that the benefit of ABX-IL8 treatment was greater in patients with more severe (PASI score of 12 or higher) psoriasis (see Attachment, Table 3). This hypothesis will be prospectively evaluated in ongoing studies.

``In this study of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, ABX-IL8 appeared safe and well tolerated and demonstrated statistically significant improvement in disease activity,`` stated Gerald Krueger, M.D., professor, Department of Dermatology at the University of Utah and chief investigator for the trial. ``Based on these results, further study of ABX-IL8 in psoriasis patients is warranted.``

``We continue to be pleased by the clinical results achieved with ABX-IL8 in psoriasis, a disease that represents a substantial market opportunity,`` stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. ``ABX-IL8 appears to offer an attractive safety profile relative to other psoriasis treatments while significantly improving disease response. We look forward to continuing development of ABX-IL8 as a psoriasis treatment and exploring its utility in other inflammatory diseases.``

On the basis of the Phase IIa data, Abgenix has initiated a Phase IIb study of ABX-IL8 in psoriasis. This study, which is expected to enroll 228 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, will evaluate two doses of ABX-IL8 and a placebo. Having seen no incremental benefit to the 6mg/kg dose over the 3mg/kg in the Phase IIa trial, Abgenix now plans to evaluate more convenient fixed doses of 100mg and 300mg (approximating 1mg/kg and 3mg/kg as weight-adjusted doses) administered every three weeks in the Phase IIb study.

The Phase IIa study experienced a relatively high withdrawal rate, nearly 25%. Analysis of this population showed that 13% of the patients withdrew from the study for reasons other than lack of efficacy or safety, and possibly due to the inconvenience of the mode of administration, a one-hour intravenous infusion followed by two hours of observation. As there were no infusion-related adverse events, the company intends to shorten the infusion time in the Phase IIb study, and to develop a subcutaneous injection formulation for later stage development.

Abgenix is testing ABX-IL8 in psoriasis because of its potential to intervene at multiple steps in the disease pathology by blocking IL-8. Scientific studies have shown that IL-8 levels can be elevated 150-fold in psoriatic tissue when compared to normal tissue. In addition to contributing to the inflammatory process, IL-8 is also a growth factor for skin cells that are proliferating in psoriatic tissue. Finally, IL-8 is a potent angiogenesis factor and may be contributing to the formation of new blood vessels that are found in psoriatic lesions.

Researchers believe ABX-IL8 works by lowering the concentration of IL-8 at the site of inflammation and blocking the migration of inflammatory cells (neutrophils and T cells) to the site of inflammation. Thus, ABX-IL8 does not deplete the patient`s supply of T-cells, an undesirable side effect of certain other psoriasis therapies.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease characterized by plaques, a thickening and scaling of the skin accompanied by local inflammation. The disease affects approximately four to five million people in the United States and can be debilitating in its most severe form. Approximately 500,000 psoriasis patients suffer from a severe enough form of the disease to require systemic therapy with immunosuppressants and ultraviolet phototherapy. The risk of serious adverse side effects associated with these therapies often requires the patients to alternate between various therapeutic modalities as a precautionary measure.

In addition to psoriasis, Abgenix is concurrently conducting a Phase IIa clinical trial of ABX-IL8 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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Branche wartet auf die erste Übernahme eines großen Pharmaherstellers Biotech-Firmen haben Erfolg mit Arzneien
(Von Katharina Kort) aus handelsblatt.com

HB NEW YORK. „In fünf Jahren wird das erste Biotechnologie-Unternehmen einen Pharmakonzern kaufen“, prophezeit der ehemalige Microsoft-Technologie-Vorstand und Präsident von Intellectual Ventures, Nathan Myhrvold, seinen Zuhörern der CEO & Investor Conference des amerikanischen Biotech-Industrieverbandes BIO in New York. Forscher, Investoren und Unternehmer der Biotechnologie quittieren die Bemerkung zwar mit einem Lachen, doch ganz abwegig finden sie den Gedanken nicht. „Ich glaube auch, dass das passieren wird“, sagt Arthur Sands, der Vorstandsvorsitzende von Lexicon Genomics. Wer hätte schließlich vor fünf Jahren gedacht, dass ein junges Unternehmen wie AOL den traditionsreichen Medienkonzern Time Warner schlucken würde?
Die Biotech-Unternehmer in den USA sind bester Laune. Ein Rekordjahr wie das vergangene wird zwar kaum zu wiederholen sein, vor allem, was die Börsenkurse betrifft. Aber die nächste Welle von Medikamenten aus der Biotech-Forschung erreicht bald die Marktreife. Dabei sind diesmal auch Unternehmen, die noch bis vor wenigen Jahren vor allem als Technologie-Lieferanten bekannt waren. Viele von ihnen sind in der Zwischenzeit zum Lager der Pharmahersteller übergetreten.

Den Investoren gefällt das: Interessant ist, wer Medikamente herstellt, denn diese Produkte sollen die Unternehmen in die Gewinnzone hieven. Die reinen Technologie-Unternehmen sind in ihrer Gunst gefallen. Und so versuchen fast alle Vertreter der jungen Industrie den Sprung zum Pharmaunternehmen.

Die Zahl der Medikamente auf dem Markt, die unter dem Einsatz von Methoden der Biotechnologie hergestellt wurden, stieg von 28 im Jahr 1991 auf 143 Produkte im Jahr 2000. Diese Zahl soll gewaltig wachsen und den Biotech-Unternehmen in die Gewinnzone helfen. Denn bisher arbeiten die wenigsten Unternehmen der jungen Industrie profitabel.

Biotech-Firmen sind selbstbewusst

Die großen Pharmaunternehmen machen den kleinen Biotech-Firmen dabei kaum Angst. Denn bei vielen sehen die eigenen Entwicklungen in den vergangenen Jahren eher mager aus. „Die großen Pharmaunternehmen sind doch wegen eigener Defizite fusioniert“, sagt Genzyme-Chef Henri Termeer selbstbewusst und fügt gleich hinzu: „Diese Schwäche birgt riesige Chancen für kleinere Unternehmen aus der Biotech-Branche“. Sein Kollege Sands von Lexicon sieht das genau so: „Durch die vielen Fusionen sind vielleicht einzelne Unternehmen gewachsen, aber doch nicht die gesamte Industrie“, sagt er. Daher sei Platz für Unternehmen wie sein eigenes.

Finanziell kann sich die Industrie das Selbstbewusstsein leisten: In den vergangenen zwei Jahren haben Biotech-Unternehmen allein durch Börsengänge einen Mittelzufluss von 7,7 Mrd. $ zu verzeichnen. Das ist soviel, wie in den sieben Jahren zuvor. Für die nächste Zeit haben die Unternehmen daher eine gute Grundlage: „Jetzt haben wir endlich die Resourcen, um unsere Forschung so zu betreiben, wie es sein muss“, sagt Termeer zufrieden. Eine weitere Auswirkung des Geldsegens: Die Unternehmen können länger eigenständig an ihrer Entwicklungen arbeiten, bevor sie Abkommen mit starken Partnern eingehen.

Unternehmen entwickeln ihre Produkte länger ohne Allianzen

„Wir werden große Veränderungen erleben, dass die Unternehmen ihre Produkte länger selbst entwickeln, bevor sie Allianzen eingehen“, sagt John Jackson, Vorstandschef von Celgene voraus. Schon jetzt warten Unternehmen wie Abgenix bis zur zweiten klinischen Testphase, bevor sie sich Partner suchen. Bisher leisten es sich nur wenige Biotech-Firmen, bis zur dritten und damit letzten klinischen Testphase vor dem Antrag bei der US-Gesundheitsbehörde FDA zu warten. „Besonders junge Unternehmen sind auf das Geld angewiesen und schließen schon in sehr frühen Phasen Verträge mit großen Pharmaunternehmen ab“, erklärt Medimmune-Chef Wayne Hockmeyer die Lage. Reifere Biotech-Unternehmen, die über genügend finanzielle Mittel verfügten, seien dagegen weniger auf Vorauszahlungen aus, sondern darauf, dass die Bedingungen für die spätere Vermarktung stimmen. Bei den Partnerschaften spielen europäische Pharmaunternehmen wie Novartis, Aventis und andere eine immer größere Rolle.

Doch es gibt auch kritische Stimmen: Nach einer Studie, die die Investmentbank Lehman Brothers bei der Unternehmensberatung McKinsey für in Auftrag gegeben hat wird es in der nahen Zukunft mehr Fehlschläge geben. „Die Forschungsziele sind nicht nur mehr geworden, sondern es handelt sich oft auch um völlig neue, unbekannte Ziele. Das erschwert die Entwicklung von wirkungsvollen Medikamenten“, erklärt Philip Ma, Berater bei McKinsey, der die Studie durchgeführt hat. Wir gehen davon aus, dass nur noch 30% der Medikamente die zweite klinische Phase schaffen werden. Derzeit sind es immerhin die Hälfte.

Dieser These widerspricht der Chef der AstraZeneca – Krebsforschung Oncology Therapeutics, Brent Vose: „Wir haben doch jetzt viel präzisere Ziele, das macht es einfacher“.

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Im Einklang mit einer Vielzahl weiterer – zuvor sehr hoch be-werteter – Biotech-Unternehmen trat ABGENIX vor Jahres-frist zu einer rasanten Talfahrt an, in deren Verlauf die Aktie der im kalifornischen Freemont beheimateten Company rund drei Viertel des Weges gen Normal-Null zurücklegte. Mittler-weile deutet allerdings vieles darauf hin, dass das auf die Ent-wicklung monoklonaler Antikörper spezialisierte Unternehmen nicht auf Meeresniveau ankommen wird. So konnte sich der Wert in der abgelaufenen Woche deutlich nach oben schwin-gen. Beflügelt wurde der Kurs durch positive Ergebnisse einer vorklinischen Studie. Mittels gentechnisch veränderter Mäuse konnte Abgenix nachweisen, dass der humane Antikörper ABX-IL8 die Angiogenese und das Wachstum menschlicher Krebszellen hemmt. Weiteren Auftrieb
verlieh eine unlängst vereinbarte Kooperation mit der britischen CELLTECH, die wie PFIZER und AMGEN auf das von Abgenix entwickelte Antikörperausleseverfahren zurückgreifen.

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Nachträge:

NEW YORK, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- IMPATH Inc. (Nasdaq: IMPH), the nation`s leading cancer information company, today announced an agreement with Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX), a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the development and commercialization of antibody therapies for a variety of diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, IMPATH Predictive Oncology(TM) division ("IPO") will expedite screening of potential therapeutic targets and Abgenix`s Xeno Mouse(TM)-generated fully human, monoclonal antibody product candidates in the field of oncology using IMPATH`s proprietary "OptimArray(TM)" technology platform. Further, IPO will evaluate target expression in tissue arrays containing a variety of normal tissues and malignant specimens, enabling Abgenix to identify potential diagnostic and therapeutic products in an accelerated and highly efficient manner. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Commenting on the agreement, Anu D. Saad, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IMPATH, said, "We are very pleased to be expanding our relationship with Abgenix. We believe IMPATH Predictive Oncology is in a unique position to offer advanced product validation services to Abgenix by utilizing our unmatched expertise in the area of tumor-specific immunohistochemical assay development and optimization and the IMPATH Genebank(TM) tissue and serology repository of human tissue specimens with detailed outcomes-focused information."


FREMONT, Calif. & LONDON, Ontario--(BW HEALTHWIRE)--March 26, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX), an antibody-based biopharmaceutical company, and Diabetogen Biosciences, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company, announced today the formation of a research collaboration to develop a fully human monoclonal antibody therapy against human antigen CD28 for the treatment of Type I diabetes, and possibly other autoimmune diseases.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Abgenix will use its XenoMouse(TM) technology to generate fully human antibodies against the CD28 antigen. Both parties will conduct in vitro and in vivo studies of the antibody candidates. Abgenix has an exclusive option to co-develop the antibody product with Diabetogen. The use of anti-CD28 antibodies in treatment of autoimmune diseases is proprietary to Diabetogen.

"Abgenix is excited to use its XenoMouse technology to create a fully human antibody therapy against the CD28 target," stated R. Scott Greer, President and CEO of Abgenix. "We are pleased to join forces with Diabetogen`s researchers in exploiting an interesting antigen target for prevalent disease conditions such as Type I diabetes."

"We are delighted to collaborate with Abgenix on the development of a fully human anti-CD28 antibody," remarked William A. McGinnis, President and CEO of Diabetogen. "We anticipate that an anti-CD28 antibody will be an exciting novel therapy for Type I diabetes and other autoimmune diseases."

CD28 is an antigen expressed on the surface of T cells of the immune system. In conjunction with other surface proteins, CD28 is responsible for activation of the T cells and regulation of immune responses. Absence of CD28 co-stimulation results in inappropriate activation of the immune system, resulting in the onset of autoimmune diseases such as Type I diabetes. By collaboratively developing an anti-CD28 antibody, Diabetogen and Abgenix intend to re-establish a regulated immune system in diseased individuals.

Abgenix`s proprietary XenoMouse(TM) is a transgenic mouse strain possessing an immune system in which the mouse antibody-producing genes have been inactivated and functionally replaced by most of the human antibody-producing genes. Upon immunization, XenoMouse generates fully human, high-affinity monoclonal antibodies that bind with high specificity to antigens of diverse structures, including human antigens. Within two to four months, XenoMouse produces multiple antibodies from which to choose an optimal candidate for development.

Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disorder where the body`s immune system incorrectly targets and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in a lack of insulin in the body. Multiple complications, including heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, can result. Diabetes affects over two million North Americans. It is the sixth leading cause of death and the single most costly chronic disease.



NEW ORLEANS, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNX) and Cytogen Corporation (Nasdaq: CYTO) have successfully created human monoclonal antibodies, using XenoMouse(TM) technology from Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX), that target prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a marker found on prostate cancer cells. The Progenics-Cytogen joint venture, the PSMA Development Company LLC, has entered into a collaboration with Abgenix to use the company`s XenoMouse technology for generating fully human antibodies to PSMA. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The scientific findings were announced today by Progenics at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in New Orleans.

Human monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced "clones" of antibodies that are formed by the body in response to specific antigens or "foreign" invaders. Antigens are found on the surface of infectious agents, tumor cells, or foreign tissue cells. The Progenics-Cytogen joint venture plans to develop three approaches to human monoclonal antibodies -- either "naked," linked to toxins or radio-labeled -- capable of selectively targeting and destroying PSMA-expressing cancer cells. Clinical trials in prostate cancer patients of a human monoclonal antibody to PSMA are scheduled to begin next year.

"Because PSMA is abundantly expressed on prostate cancer cells, it is an attractive target for antibody-based immunotherapies," said Warren D. W. Heston, Ph.D., Director of the Research Program in Prostate Cancer at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and the discoverer of PSMA. "We believe that the highly specific interaction between these human antibodies and prostate cancer cells may result in potent new therapies for this deadly disease. Compared with mouse or part-mouse monoclonal antibodies, fully human monoclonal antibodies are preferred for therapy, because they persist longer in the body and are less likely to be recognized as foreign, allowing for repeated dosing as needed to complete a successful course of treatment."

"Our new collaboration with Progenics Pharmaceuticals and Cytogen is further evidence of the growing interest of biopharmaceutical companies in generating novel therapeutic antibody product candidates using XenoMouse technology," said R. Scott Greer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Abgenix. "In cancer therapy, such antibodies hold the promise of locating and destroying cancer cells that may go undetected or are inaccessible to surgery or radiation therapy, with minimal side effects compared to conventional chemotherapy."

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States, exceeded only by lung cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that during 2001, approximately 198,100 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S., and 31,500 will die of this disease. About 11% of men with prostate cancer are at high risk for metastatic spread of the disease, and nearly 40% have local recurrence of the disease.

In addition to the antibody strategy described above, the joint venture between Progenics and Cytogen is also pursuing a parallel program for the development of therapeutic vaccines which target PSMA and are directed at stimulating a patient`s immune system to eradicate his own cancer. The companies anticipate that a prostate cancer vaccine currently in late stage pre-clinical development could be tested in patients later this year. Company Profiles

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY, is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and commercialization of products for the treatment and prevention of viral, cancer, and other life-threatening diseases. The Company applies its immunological expertise to develop biopharmaceuticals to fight viral diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, and cancers, such as malignant melanoma and prostate cancer. The Company has initiated Phase II clinical trials of its lead HIV product, PRO 542, a viral entry inhibitor. The Company is developing follow-on product candidates in HIV infection: PRO 367 has completed a Phase I study, PRO 140 is preparing to commence Phase I/II trials, and a lead therapeutic candidate has been selected from a novel class of anti-HIV compounds known as sulfated CCR5 peptides. The Company is also engaged in programs to discover and develop small-molecule HIV therapeutics that target the fusion co-receptors of the virus and other programs focusing on HIV attachment and fusion. The Company is developing cancer immunotherapies based on PSMA (prostate specific membrane antigen) technology. The Company`s most clinically advanced product, GMK, is a cancer vaccine in a pivotal Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of malignant melanoma. Progenics is also prepared to commence Phase II trials with a second cancer vaccine, MGV, with broad application to a variety of cancers. The Company is also developing a novel small-molecule antioxidant, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), to treat stroke and other disorders.

Cytogen Corporation, Princeton, NJ, is a biopharmaceutical company whose two principal lines of business, proteomics and oncology, are built upon its expertise in antibodies and molecular recognition and are directed principally to development of novel products for the diagnosis, imaging, staging and treatment of prostate cancer and a proteomics-driven drug discovery platform. The Company exclusively licenses the worldwide rights to the PSMA technology from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The Company`s in vivo immunotherapy development program is being conducted through its joint venture with Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. AxCell Biosciences, a subsidiary of Cytogen Corporation, is a leader in the effort to chart protein-signaling pathways in the human proteome as a means of discovering new drug targets. In conjunction with InforMax, AxCell is developing a proprietary protein-pathway database, the ProChart Database(TM), as a discovery and development tool for subscribers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agricultural industries.



FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--March 27, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) today announced the presentation of preclinical study results showing that its investigational fully human monoclonal antibody, ABX-IL8, blocks angiogenesis and inhibits the growth of human melanoma tumors implanted into mice. This study was conducted in collaboration with Menashe Bar-Eli, Ph.D., at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The findings were presented at the 92nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in New Orleans.

Immunohistochemical analysis of the tumors from the mice treated with ABX-IL8 revealed that there was nearly total inhibition of blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). Further, there was a significant increase in the number of cells undergoing apoptosis (programmed cell death) compared to tumors derived from untreated control mice.

"Abgenix continues to believe that over expression of the cytokine interleukin 8, the target for our human antibody ABX-IL8, plays an important role in a number of inflammatory disease states," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "These latest findings with ABX-IL8 now hint at a potential role in the treatment of cancer."

ABX-IL8 is a fully human monoclonal antibody generated with Abgenix`s XenoMouse(TM) technology that blocks the activity of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine involved in several inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary disorders. ABX-IL8 is currently in Phase IIb clinical development for psoriasis and in Phase IIa clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis.

Previous studies have shown that melanoma cells frequently produce and secrete IL-8 at high levels. The ability of IL-8 to promote angiogenesis suggests that it may support melanoma tumor formation and growth by enhancing the blood supply to the tumor. In previously published studies, Dr. Bar-Eli has reported that melanoma cells expressing high levels of IL-8 also show increased production of certain metalloproteases, enzymes which break down the normal tissue matrix surrounding developing tumors, thereby facilitating angiogenesis and metastasis.



FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--March 29, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) announced today that it has expanded its relationship with Chiron Corporation ("Chiron") (Nasdaq:CHIR). Under the new agreement, Chiron will use Abgenix`s XenoMouse (TM) technology to generate fully human monoclonal antibody therapies against multiple cancer-specific antigen targets supplied by Chiron over a multi-year term. The first agreement between the parties included one antigen in the field of autoimmune disease, and four cancer antigens.

As in the terms of the December 1999 agreement, Abgenix will receive technology access fees, and could receive milestone and license payments, plus royalties on any future product sales by Chiron. Chiron will be responsible for product development, manufacturing, and commercialization of any products developed through the program.

"We are pleased with Chiron`s interest in adding new targets for antibody-based therapies," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "We are delighted to provide extended access to XenoMouse(TM) technology to our existing customers."


Gruß Bogo!

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FREMONT, Calif. and SEATTLE, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) and Immunex Corporation (Nasdaq: IMNX) announced today that the companies will start a Phase 2 clinical trial of ABX-EGF in patients with kidney cancer. The Phase 2 trial will assess the tolerability and efficacy of ABX-EGF as monotherapy (without concomitant chemotherapy) in patients with kidney cancer. ABX-EGF is being developed jointly by Abgenix and Immunex. Initiation of this study triggers a milestone payment from Immunex to Abgenix.

This multi-center, multiple-dose study will enroll up to 80 patients across North America. Patients will receive eight weekly intravenous infusions at varying doses of ABX-EGF. Preliminary results from an ongoing Phase 1 study support the dose-escalating Phase 2 study protocol in kidney cancer.

"We are happy to be moving forward with the first of several Phase 2 trials for ABX-EGF, our lead oncology antibody therapy in development," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "In the coming months, Abgenix and Immunex will initiate a series of Phase 2 clinical trials to explore the tolerability and efficacy of ABX-EGF in additional cancer indications. Our hope is to provide effective, antibody-based therapeutic options for cancer patients."

"We are encouraged by the preliminary results we are seeing in the Phase 1 trial for ABX-EGF," said Douglas Williams, Ph.D., Immunex executive vice president and chief technology officer. "The potential ability of ABX-EGF to target the EGF receptor is an exciting approach in cancer research, making it a valuable addition to the Immunex arsenal of oncology molecules."

Preliminary results of an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of ABX-EGF will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in May 2001. About ABX-EGF

ABX-EGF is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), which is over-expressed on a variety of cancers including lung, breast, bladder, prostate, colorectal, kidney and head and neck cancer. It has been demonstrated that cancer cells can become dependent on growth signals mediated through the EGFr for their survival. In mouse models, ABX-EGF monotherapy has been shown to both eradicate established human tumors and block the growth of human tumors.

Overexpression of the EGFr has been reported to occur in 70-90% of kidney cancer tumors. In 2000, there were approximately 12,000 deaths associated with kidney cancer and approximately 31,000 new cases of kidney cancer in the United States. Renal cell carcinoma or kidney cancer is characterized by a lack of early warning signs, which results in a high proportion of patients being diagnosed with advanced disease. In cases where localized kidney tumors are detected at an early stage, surgery provides the only curative therapy. Metastatic kidney cancer is highly resistant to systemic therapies. Therapeutic options for patients with advanced kidney cancer are very limited.

"There is an unmet medical need for new treatment options for patients with kidney cancer," said Robert Figlin, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Urology of the Johnsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the UCLA School of Medicine. "ABX-EGF, as a fully human monoclonal antibody, represents a promising therapeutic approach to solid tumors, and I am encouraged by its potential application in kidney cancer."

Gruß Bogo!

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WO:
Das US-Biotechnologie Unternehmen Abgenix, das besonders auf die Entwicklung von Antikörper-Therapien zur Krankheitsbekämpfung spezialisiert ist, hat im 1. Quartal 2001 Verluste in Höhe von 7,6 Mio.$ oder 9 Cent pro Aktie gemacht. Analysten hatten ein höheres Minus von durchschnittlich 13 Cent pro Aktie erwartet. Die Umsätze wachsen von 6,3 Mio.$ im Vorjahresquartal auf 14,5 Mio.$ an.

Das Unternehmen, das mit seiner Xeno-Mouse-Technologie menschliche Antikörper in genetisch beeinflussten Mäusen entwickelt, gibt mit 16,8 Mio.$ deutlich mehr Geld als im Vorjahresquartal für Forschung und Entwicklung aus. Allerdings tragen diese Ausgaben bereits Früchte: Wegen der Entwicklung neuer experimenteller Medikamente und auf Grund der geringer ausgefallenen Quartalsverluste schraubt das Analystenhaus Prudential Securities das Kursziel für Abgenix von 30$ auf 40$ hoch. Die Aktie reagiert dementsprechend mit einem Kursplus von 9,8% auf 31,90$.


Originalmeldung:
FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--April 24, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) today reported a net loss of $7.6 million or $0.09 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, compared to a net loss of $3.4 million or $0.05 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. Contract revenues for the current quarter increased to $4.2 million from $2.0 million for the same quarter in 2000. Including interest income, total revenues for the current quarter increased to $14.5 million from $6.3 million for the same period in 2000.

Abgenix ended the first quarter with approximately $631.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. In addition, Abgenix holds long-term investments, primarily equity in corporate partners, totaling $64.0 million.

First quarter company highlights included:

-- Presenting the Phase IIa clinical trial results of ABX-IL8 at
the American Academy of Dermatology meeting, showing that
ABX-IL8 is associated with statistically significant
improvement in plaque psoriasis and has an excellent safety
profile,

-- Announcing preclinical results at the American Association for
Cancer Research meeting of ABX-IL8 showing anti-angiogenic and
anti-tumor activity in melanoma cells,

-- Initiating a Phase IIb clinical trial of ABX-IL8 in psoriasis,

-- Entering a manufacturing supply agreement with Lonza Biologics
for the exclusive use of a dedicated cell culture production
suite at their facility in Slough, England,

-- Entering an agreement to license Celltech the rights to use
our SLAM (Selected Lymphocyte Antibody Method) technology, the
high throughput antibody selection technology we obtained from
the acquisition of ImmGenics,

-- Expanding our existing XenoMouse license agreements with
Pfizer, Amgen and Chiron,

-- Entering XenoMouse(TM)technology collaborations with
Diabetogen, and with a joint venture of Progenics and Cytogen,

-- Entering a second collaboration with Lexicon Genetics to
validate potential drug targets for our discovery and
development of therapeutic human antibodies,

-- Entering a collaboration with Dyax to develop a new technology
that will combine our XenoMouse transgenic mouse antibody
generating technology with Dyax`s phage display technology to
create libraries of high affinity, fully human antibody
sequences,

-- Receiving a fourth U.S. patent grant relating to XenoMouse
technology, and

-- Announcing the promotion of Ray Withy, Ph.D. to president and
chief operating officer, and the addition of Susan Thorner as
vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Gruß Bogo!

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27.03.01

Netcog.com 30/04.01
ABGX saw Dir. Kathleen Behrens buy 21,800 shares of the company`s stock @ $20-$20.50 a share. Behrens made the largest insider purchase in the history of the company.

ABGX is up 3.30 to 37.55.

Yahoo
27-Mar-01 BEHRENS, M KATHLEEN
Board of Directors * 21,800
ABGX Purchased at $20.00 -- $20.50/Share.
Cost of $445,900.


Gruß Bogo!

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FREMONT, Calif. and SEATTLE, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers presented preliminary results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of ABX-EGF, the only fully human monoclonal antibody in development against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), a receptor identified in many solid tumor types. Co-developed by Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX - news) and Immunex Corporation (Nasdaq: IMNX - news), ABX-EGF was studied as monotherapy (without concomitant chemotherapy) in patients with various types of cancer. Data were presented today at the 37th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Data from the ongoing, multiple-dose Phase 1 study of ABX-EGF included the results from 28 patients with various types of advanced solid refractory tumors, including kidney, prostate, pancreatic, non-small cell lung, colorectal and esophageal cancer. Patients received ABX-EGF by intravenous infusion every week for four weeks and were followed for safety for an additional five weeks. Doses ranged from 0.01 mg/kg to 1.0 mg/kg of ABX-EGF preceded by a loading dose. The primary objective of this Phase 1 study is to evaluate the safety of ABX-EGF at multiple dose levels.

``ABX-EGF`s role in targeting the EGF receptor and blocking the growth of tumor cells make it an exciting and promising research candidate in the treatment of cancer,`` said Robert Figlin, M.D., a researcher at UCLA`s Jonsson Cancer Center and a professor of medicine and urology at the UCLA School of Medicine. ``I am encouraged by plans to investigate its potential as a single-agent against multiple tumor types.``


Gruß Bogo!

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FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) announced today that it has expanded its research collaboration agreement with Centocor Inc.

Under the expanded agreement, Centocor will use Abgenix`s XenoMouse(TM) technology to generate fully human monoclonal antibody therapies against multiple antigen targets in various disease indications. The original agreement between the parties was signed in December 1998.

As under the terms of the original agreement, Abgenix will receive research license fees, and could receive milestone payments and royalties on any future product sales by Centocor. Centocor will be responsible for product development, manufacturing, and commercialization of any products developed through the collaboration.

Gruß Bogo!

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FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--June 12, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) today announced that it has signed a research collaboration, option and license agreement with Biogen, Inc. under which the parties will use Abgenix`s XenoMouse(TM) technology to generate fully human monoclonal antibodies to up to fifteen antigen targets supplied by Biogen during the collaboration`s multi-year term.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abgenix will receive upfront research payments, and could receive license and milestone payments, and royalties on any future product sales by Biogen. Biogen will be responsible for product development, manufacturing, and commercialization of any products developed through the collaboration.

"We are delighted to enter a XenoMouse collaboration with Biogen, a premier biotechnology company with industry-leading capabilities in discovering, developing and marketing novel therapies including therapeutic antibodies," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix.

"We are pleased to be working with Abgenix, a company well known for its technology leadership in the area of fully human antibodies. This agreement augments our strong antibody-generating capabilities and has the potential to contribute to the development of therapeutics in all four of our focus areas - inflammation, neoplasia, fibrosis and neurodegeneration," said Michael Gilman, Ph.D., vice president of Research at Biogen.

Gruß Bogo!

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TORONTO -(Dow Jones)- MDS Proteomics, a unit of MDS Inc. (MDZ), and Abgenix Inc. (ABGX) will collaborate to develop and commercialize antibody drugs.
In a news release, Abgenix said both companies will receive reciprocal milestone and royalty payments for products resulting from this development alliance. Specific details weren`t provided.

The companies will identify up to 150 targets for generation of human therapeutic antibody candidates intended for further development and eventual treatment for a broad range of complex diseases, it said.

Separately, Abgenix has entered into an agreement with MDS Proteomics to purchase $15 million of MDS Proteomics shares, it noted.




Pacific Growth Equities Morning Call Summary for July 2, 2001
07/02/01 07:35 AM
Source: Pacific Growth Equities
San Francisco, CA – July 2, 2001 – Pacific Growth Equities, a research driven investment bank specializing in emerging growth companies, today reported the following from their morning call meeting:

Visit the CNET Brokerage Center for daily reports from the top Wall Street analysts.

Abgenix, Inc. (ABGX)
Price: $45.00
Strong Buy
F01E: ($0.84)
F02E: ($1.20)

Tom Dietz, Ph.D., Biotechnology/Biopharmaceuticals
“Abgenix announced that it has entered into an agreement with MDS Proteomics (pvt., Toronto, ON) to develop and commercialize proteomics-derived antibody therapeutics. MDS Proteomics uses protein pathway biology, mass spectrometry analysis and informatics to develop targets for potential therapeutics. The companies intend to use their technologies to identify up to 150 targets with the potential to develop human antibody therapeutics for a variety of diseases. Under the agreement, MDS Proteomics will identify the targets, and both companies will independently or jointly develop and commercialize the potential antibody therapies. If one company selects an antigen for development independently, they would then pay the other company milestone payments and royalties on any potential products. If any targets are jointly developed, the two companies will share all costs 50:50. In addition, Abgenix purchased $15 million of MDS Proteomics common stock. Abgenix’ percent ownership of MDS Proteomics following this investment was not disclosed. This is the 6th new partnership Abgenix has entered into this year, on top of the 5 year-to-date deal expansions. We maintain our Strong Buy rating.”

Interessant ist der Kauf der Stammaktien.

Gruß Bogo!

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Abgenix Reaches Milestone in Antibody Collaboration With Amgen; Fully Human Antibody Generated with Abgenix`s Technology in Clinical Trials

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABGX) today announced that Amgen Inc. (Amgen) has advanced into clinical trials a fully human antibody generated with Abgenix`s technology. This milestone triggers an undisclosed payment to Abgenix.

"We are pleased with the productivity of our collaboration with Amgen, which has resulted in the rapid advancement of this product candidate. Four fully human antibodies derived from Abgenix technology are in human clinical trials, including two of our own," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "We believe our fully human antibody platform will continue to provide new and important antibody therapies for various diseases."

Abgenix`s research collaboration with Amgen began in April 1999 for Abgenix to use its technology to generate fully human monoclonal antibody candidates to undisclosed antigen targets supplied by Amgen during the five-year term of the alliance. Amgen will be responsible for product development, manufacturing and marketing of any products developed through the collaboration. Abgenix will receive upfront research payments and could receive license fees, milestone payments plus royalties on any future product sales by Amgen.

Antibodies are naturally occurring proteins used by the body`s immune system to combat many diseases. As therapeutic products, antibodies have several potential advantages over other therapies. The highly specific interaction between an antibody and its target may, for example, reduce unwanted side effects that may occur with other therapies. Fully human antibodies are desirable because they avoid the risk of rejection present with mouse or partial mouse antibodies.

Gruß Bogo!

[bogo01]

Abgenix and CuraGen Scientists Discover and Select Additional 49 Novel Antibody Drug Targets for Development

FREMONT, Calif. and NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX), an antibody-based biopharmaceutical company and CuraGen Corporation (Nasdaq: CRGN), an integrated genomics-based biopharmaceutical company, today announced that CuraGen scientists have discovered an additional 49 novel drug targets that scientists at the Companies have jointly elected to develop antibodies against.

Abgenix and CuraGen have reviewed and selected over 30% of the 250 novel drug targets to be identified as part of their 5-year alliance, and are now developing antibodies against these potentially novel drug targets. Currently, scientists at each company have received, and are evaluating, antibodies that have been generated by Abgenix as possible treatments for diseases including cancer and inflammation.

"By combining CuraGen`s integrated genomic technologies with our fully human antibody technology, CuraGen and Abgenix scientists may be able to develop a broad pipeline of potential antibody therapeutics. We believe the progress being made in our collaboration with CuraGen is further validation of our strategy to obtain ownership of novel disease targets through collaborations with leading target discovery companies," stated R. Scott Greer, Chairman and CEO of Abgenix.

Gruß Bogo!

[bogo01]

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABGX) today reported a net loss of $14.8 million or $0.17 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2001, compared to a net loss of $2.4 million or $0.03 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2000. Contract revenues for the current quarter increased to $8.4 million from $3.5 million for the same quarter in 2000. Including interest income, total revenues for the current quarter increased to $16.0 million from $12.3 million for the same period in 2000.

Abgenix ended the second quarter with approximately $575.4 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. In addition, Abgenix holds long-term investments, primarily equity in corporate partners, totaling $113.9 million.

Erwartet waren -0.14.

Gruß Bogo!

[bogo01]

Abgenix Announces Initiation of Phase II Clinical Trial of ABX-EGF in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--July 31, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) announced today the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial of ABX-EGF in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ABX-EGF is a fully human monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), a receptor identified in many solid tumor types. This clinical trial, the second Phase II study of ABX-EGF, will assess the tolerability and efficacy of ABX-EGF in combination with standard chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC. ABX-EGF is being developed in collaboration with Immunex Corporation.

This multi-center Phase II study will enroll up to 210 patients across North America. Patients will receive weekly intravenous infusions of ABX-EGF in combination with standard chemotherapy or standard chemotherapy alone.

"We are happy to be moving forward with the second Phase II trial this year for ABX-EGF," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "We are pleased with the progress the joint development team has made in advancing clinical development of ABX-EGF in various cancer indications. Our goal is to provide effective, antibody-based therapeutic options for cancer patients."

Preliminary results of an ongoing Phase I clinical trial of ABX-EGF were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in May 2001, showing ABX-EGF to be safe and well tolerated. Thus far, two patients in the Phase I study have achieved stable disease. A Phase II study evaluating the safety and efficacy of ABX-EGF as a single agent in patients with kidney cancer was initiated by Abgenix and Immunex earlier this year.

About ABX-EGF


ABX-EGF is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), which is over-expressed on a variety of cancers including lung, breast, bladder, prostate, colorectal, kidney and head and neck cancer. It has been demonstrated that cancer cells can become dependent on growth signals mediated through the EGFr for their survival. In mouse models, ABX-EGF monotherapy has been shown to both eradicate established human tumors and block the growth of human tumors.

Overexpression of the EGFr has been reported to occur in the tumor tissue of 60-80% of NSCLC patients. In 2000, there were approximately 120,000 deaths associated with NSCL cancer and approximately 125,000 new cases of NSCLC in the United States. Advanced NSCLC is characterized by a response rate of approximately 20-30% and a median survival time of less than one year with standard chemotherapy.

Gruß Bogo!

[bogo01]

Abgenix and Agensys Enter Technology License Collaboration to Discover And Develop Human Therapeutic Antibodies Against Cancer

FREMONT, Calif. and SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) and Agensys, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company, announced today a research collaboration, option and license agreement under which the parties will use Abgenix`s human antibody technologies to discover and develop fully human monoclonal antibody therapies against selected cancer antigen targets supplied by Agensys. Agensys` proprietary portfolio of cancer antigens includes antigens associated with prostate, kidney, bladder, lung, colon and ovarian cancers.

Under the terms of the multi-product agreement, Agensys has option rights to obtain exclusive product licenses for up to 25 antigen targets during the collaboration`s five-year term. For each selected antigen, Abgenix will receive research license payments, and could receive additional fees and milestone payments, as well as royalties on any future product sales by Agensys. Agensys will be responsible for product development, manufacturing, and commercialization of any products developed through the collaboration.

"We are excited to enter this alliance with Agensys to generate fully human antibody candidates to their large portfolio of novel, clinically relevant cancer antigens," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "This collaboration demonstrates our ongoing efforts in offering cancer patients new treatment options."

"Agensys` alliance with Abgenix will allow us to drive forward the development of numerous antibody products based on our proprietary cancer antigens," said Donald B. Rice, chief executive officer of Agensys. "We`re most pleased to collaborate with Abgenix and its top notch technology for making fully human antibodies."

Antibodies are naturally occurring proteins used by the body`s immune system to combat many diseases. As therapeutic products, antibodies have several potential advantages over other therapies. The highly specific interaction between an antibody and its target may, for example, reduce unwanted side effects that may occur with other therapies. Fully human antibodies are desirable because they avoid the risk of rejection present with mouse or partial mouse antibodies.

Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of fully human monoclonal antibody therapies for a variety of diseases. The company`s antibody technology platform, which includes XenoMax(TM) technology, enables the rapid generation and selection of high affinity, fully human antibody product candidates to disease targets appropriate for antibody therapy. Abgenix leverages its leadership position in human antibody technologies by building a large and diversified product portfolio through the establishment of licensing arrangements with multiple pharmaceutical, biotechnology and genomics companies and through the development of its own internal proprietary products. For more information on Abgenix, visit the company`s website at www.abgenix.com.

Agensys is a cancer-focused biotechnology company developing targeted therapeutics based on its large portfolio of novel cancer antigens. The company uses a variety of discovery and validation technologies to identify antigens with clinical relevance in multiple solid tumors. It recently moved into expanded facilities which includes a 10,000 square feet clinical scale manufacturing plant for antibodies. Agensys leverages its multiple product opportunities through internal development of selected antibody products and out-licensing of both antibody products and antigens suitable for development of small molecule and vaccine products. Agensys signed a $33 million deal with Genentech, Inc. in July 2000 for development of antibody therapy in cancer targeting PSCA, one of Agensys` cancer antigens. For more information on Agensys, visit the company`s website at www.agensys.com.

Gruß Bogo!

[money_max]

Tue Aug 14, 2001
• Alert: Dain Rauscher Wessels reiterates coverage of ABGX at Buy, price target $60 (Headline only)

Briefing.com

[money_max]

Upgrade
Abgenix
Dain Rauscher Wessels from Buy
to Strong Buy

[bogo01]

Nachtrag vom 20.09.01
FREMONT, Calif. -(Dow Jones)- Abgenix Inc. (ABGX) submitted an investigational new drug, or IND, application to the Food and Drug Administration to conduct a Phase IIa clinical trial of ABX-IL8 for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
In a press release Thursday, the company said the double-blind, placebo- controlled study study has 150 patients at 15 clinical sites in the U.S. who will receive three doses of ABX-IL8 administered monthly over a two-month period.

Efficacy analyses will focus on change in airflow, breathlessness and disease- related quality of life. Abgenix expects results from the study in the first quarter of 2003.

ABX-IL8, a human monoclonal antibody, blocks the activity of interleukin-8, a chemokine involved in several inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, the targets of two of the company`s other Phase II studies.

People with COPD, a chronic disease, suffer from inflammation and progressive destruction of lung tissue resulting in shortness of breath, persistent cough, recurrent infections and chronic debilitation.

Abgenix said current treatments for COPD provide only symptomatic relief and don`t directly address the underlying inflammatory process of the disease.


Gruß Bogo!

[bogo01]

CLEVELAND, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Gliatech Inc. (Nasdaq: GLIA) has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for patent claims covering the use of anti-properdin agents as treatments to inhibit harmful inflammation. Gliatech is developing therapeutic antibodies to properdin as potential treatments for acute inflammatory conditions which result from cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, heart attacks and stroke. These antibodies may also provide new therapies for rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

"The allowance of the patent claims is a significant step in protecting our intellectual property around anti-properdin agents and their promising utility as therapeutic agents," said Steven L. Basta, President of Gliatech. "The progress in this program has been rapid and the collaboration with Abgenix has been rewarding."

Properdin is a protein of the complement alternative pathway, which is a component of the normal host immune system. When the complement pathway is inappropriately triggered, tissue damage may result. Such is the case with acute damage, for example from stimulation of the complement pathway by cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. In chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system aberrantly recognizes the patient`s own tissue and mounts an autoimmune response. Activation of the complement pathway in such a disease is thought to propagate this attack.

Gliatech has developed proprietary monoclonal antibodies to properdin that are potent in vitro and in vivo inhibitors of the complement alternative pathway. By selectively blocking the alternative pathway, the negative consequences of inappropriate complement activation can be attenuated without inhibiting other key elements of the normal host immune defense. Gliatech has demonstrated in preclinical models that anti-properdin antibodies can reduce damage to heart tissue in models of reduced blood flow to heart tissues. In addition, the anti-properdin antibodies effectively block complement activation in models of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Gliatech Inc. is collaborating with Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) to develop fully human monoclonal antibodies through Abgenix`s XenoMouse(R) technology. The companies have identified candidate antibodies to properdin for use as a therapeutic in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.

"We have identified several potent and selective monoclonal antibodies and are in the final stages of selecting a clinical candidate from the Abgenix collaboration," stated Clark E. Tedford, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Research and Development. "The next phase will be the scale up manufacturing and safety/toxicity testing of the clinical candidate to support the regulatory filings for initiation of human clinical trials."

Gliatech Inc. is engaged in the discovery and development of biosurgery and pharmaceutical products. The biosurgery products include ADCON(R)-L and ADCON(R)-T/N and ADCON(R) Solution, which are proprietary, resorbable, carbohydrate polymer medical devices designed to inhibit scarring and adhesions following surgery. Gliatech`s pharmaceutical product candidates include small molecule drugs to modulate the cognitive state of the nervous system and proprietary monoclonal antibodies designed to inhibit inflammation.

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results of the Company to be different from expectations expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainty of market acceptance of the Company`s products, the uncertainty of the continued development of monoclonal antibodies and other risk factors detailed in the Company`s SEC filings.

Gruß Bogo!

[bogo01]

ABX-CBL Shows Promise in Treatment of Steroid-Resistant Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Allogeneic Transplant Recipients
Phase II Study Results Published in Blood Show More than Half of Patients Demonstrated Complete or Partial Responses
FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 4, 2001-- SangStat Medical Corporation (Nasdaq:SANG - news) announced today that more than half of allogeneic transplant recipients with steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) treated with at least four infusions of the anti-CD147 monoclonal antibody ABX-CBL demonstrated a complete or partial response in a Phase II study. Study results appear in the current issue of Blood.

Of the 51 patients receiving at least four infusions of ABX-CBL, 26 (51 percent) responded, 13 with complete responses as assessed by investigators using the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry Index (IBMTR). Of the 59 total patients enrolled in the trial, 26 (44 percent) were alive six months after the start of ABX-CBL therapy.

The patients enrolled in the study had received an allogeneic transplant for malignant or nonmalignant disorders and developed steroid resistant GVHD. These patients also failed to respond to at least three days of treatment with corticosteroids, which is currently considered ``first line therapy.`` Acute GVHD is triggered when donor T lymphocytes respond to the recipient`s tissues as foreign.

``These study results suggest that the anti-CD147 monoclonal antibody, ABX-CBL, is an effective agent for the treatment of steroid-resistant GVHD,`` said H. Joachim Deeg, MD, Member, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Professor of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle. ``Since there is no current standard of therapy for steroid-refractory GVHD, we look forward to the future studies that will better define the role and effectiveness of ABX-CBL.``

``SangStat, as part of its co-development agreement with Abgenix, is currently studying ABX-CBL in another Phase II/III study. We expect those additional results to be available in the first quarter of 2003,`` said Jean-Jacques Bienaime, Chairman, CEO and President of SangStat.

Of the 34 serious adverse events reported in the study, only a case of liver failure was thought to be related to ABX-CBL, and six cases of myalgias (severe muscular pain or tenderness) were thought to be probably related.

Gruß Bogo!

[didiprotein]

@bogo001
Hallo!Wo siehst du den Kurs von Abgenix in 12 Monaten?Und wie ist deine Meinung zur Biotechnologie im allgemeinen?

[bogo01]

@didiprotein

Ich kann Dir kein Kursziel nennen! Zum einen will ich nicht und zum anderen kann ich dies auch gar nicht. Ich habe mit der Biotechbranche beruflich nichts am Hut und somit fällt mir eine Bewertung und Einschätzung sehr schwer.
Abgenix ist mittlerweile von den Kooperationen und Verflechtungen onehin sehr schwer einzuschätzen. Durch den Kauf von ImGenics und IntraImmune wurde Wissen aufgekauft, dass ein gezielteres und schnelleres Suchen nach Antikörpern ermöglichen soll. Desweiteren besitzt Abgenix Beteiligungen an MDS Proteomics, CuraGen (5,4%), Celltech und Immunogen (Gibt es noch mehr?)!
ImmunoGen hat übrigens später auch eine Kooperation mit Morphosys abgeschlossen!
Die weiteren Forschungsaktivitäten z. B. mit Dyax etc. kann ich überhaupt nicht einstufen (Kann sich damit nicht mal ein Fachmann auseinandersetzen?).
Wie sind die Kooperationen, Lizenzen (z.B.Pfizer) etc. über die Jahre auf den Kurs hochzurechnen? Wie wirkt sich die angestrebte eigene Produktionsanlage von Abgenix im nächsten Jahr(bzw. der Abschluß mit Lonza)aus? Sind die Medikammente in den klinischen Phasen von Abgenix wirklich Blockbuster? Wann wird Cell Genesys seine Anteile veräußern? Stehen weitere Übernahmen an, die den Kurs belasten?

Was ich Dir allerdings mit Sicherheit sagen kann, ist das der Kurs auf Sicht von 5 Jahren abheben wird, gleiches gilt auch für die Biotechbranche (Meiner Meinung nach jedoch nur für Firmen mit eigener Produktpipeline. Wer zu spät kommt, den ..... )

Gruß Bogo!

[bogo01]

Nachträge:

FREMONT, Calif. & CLEVELAND--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 2, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) and Gliatech Inc. (Nasdaq:GLIA) today announced an agreement that provides Abgenix with exclusive worldwide rights to human monoclonal antibody therapies against the complement protein properdin as potential treatments for cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. Abgenix has generated lead antibody product candidates for Gliatech under a January 2000 collaboration and will now assume responsibility for development and commercialization. Abgenix anticipates filing an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA for an anti-properdin antibody product candidate next year.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abgenix obtains an exclusive license to develop and commercialize anti-properdin antibody therapies for all indications and will be responsible for clinical development, regulatory activities, manufacturing, marketing and sales. Gliatech will receive from Abgenix an upfront license fee of $1.5 million, a commitment for a future equity investment, potential milestone payments for multiple clinical indications, research funding for two years and royalties on net sales of any resulting products. Collectively, these non-royalty payments could reach approximately $40 million over the term of the contract if a product is successfully commercialized.

"An anti-properdin antibody represents a promising approach to the treatment of acute inflammatory conditions which result, for example, from cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, heart attacks and stroke," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "Gliatech has done a great deal of pre-clinical work in this field and has generated an important intellectual property position. We are excited to move toward clinical development of the first product candidate."

"Our collaborative work with Abgenix over the past two years has led to the identification of promising clinical candidate antibodies," said Steven L. Basta, president of Gliatech. "We have worked closely in this collaboration, and the XenoMouse(R) technology of Abgenix has been an important tool to create antibodies targeted at the properdin antigen that our research team identified in the inflammatory pathway. We are pleased that Abgenix has chosen this antibody among its portfolio of opportunities to move toward commercialization."

Gliatech has been involved in properdin research and its role in modulating inflammatory response for several years and recently received notice of allowance on its patent covering the antigen as a therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases. Agents which block properdin function may play a unique role in modulating the alternative complement pathway in a manner that avoids broad based immune suppression.

Properdin is a protein of the alternative complement pathway, which is a component of the normal host immune system. When the complement pathway is inappropriately triggered, tissue damage may result. Such is the case with acute damage, for example from stimulation of the complement pathway by cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Shutting down this inappropriate response may thus provide an important anti-inflammatory therapy for patients undergoing such procedures. In chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system aberrantly recognizes the patient`s own tissue and mounts an autoimmune response. Activation of the complement pathway in such a disease is thought to propagate this attack. An anti-properdin antibody may inhibit this cascade and thus limit tissue damage.

In January 2000, Abgenix and Gliatech established a research collaboration to generate fully human antibodies against properdin using Abgenix`s XenoMouse(R) technology. The companies have discovered monoclonal antibodies to properdin that are in vitro and ex vivo inhibitors of the complement alternative pathway. By selectively blocking the alternative pathway, the negative consequences of inappropriate complement activation can be attenuated without inhibiting other key elements of the normal host immune defense. In pre-clinical models, anti-properdin antibodies reduced damage to heart tissue in models of reduced blood flow and effectively blocked complement activation in models of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of human monoclonal antibody therapies for a variety of diseases. The company`s antibody technology platform, which includes XenoMouse(R) and XenoMax(TM) technologies, enables the rapid generation and selection of high affinity, fully human antibody product candidates to disease targets appropriate for antibody therapy. Abgenix leverages its leadership position in human antibody technology by building a large and diversified product portfolio through the establishment of licensing arrangements with multiple pharmaceutical, biotechnology and genomics companies and through the development of its own internal proprietary products. For more information on Abgenix, visit the company`s website at www.abgenix.com.

Gliatech Inc. is engaged in the discovery and development of biosurgery and pharmaceutical products. The biosurgery products include ADCON(R)-L and ADCON(R)-T/N and ADCON(R) Solution, which are proprietary, resorbable, carbohydrate polymer medical devices designed to inhibit scarring and adhesions following surgery. Gliatech`s pharmaceutical product candidates include small molecule drugs to modulate the cognitive state of the nervous system and proprietary monoclonal antibodies designed to inhibit inflammation.


FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 23, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABGX) today reported financial results for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2001.

For the three months ended September 30, 2001, the company reported a net loss of $22.6 million or $0.26 per share, compared to a net income of $1.5 million or $0.02 per share for the same period in 2000. Contract revenues for the current quarter were $4.1 million as compared to $7.6 million for the same quarter in 2000. Including interest income, total revenues for the current quarter were $10.4 million compared to $16.8 million for the same period in 2000. Contract revenues include license fees and milestone payments from customers and collaborators that are dependent on the timing of certain events and vary from quarter to quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, the company reported a net loss of $45.1 million compared to a net loss of $4.3 million in the same period of 2000. Contract revenues for the nine-month period in 2001 were $16.6 million compared to $13.1 million in the same period of 2000. Including interest income, total revenues for the nine-month period in 2001 increased to $40.9 million from $35.4 million for the same period in 2000.

Expenses increased in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2001 compared to the same periods in 2000 as the company forward integrates, ramping up target evaluation, antibody generation, pre-clinical and clinical studies, cell line development and antibody manufacturing with the goal of generating a large portfolio of product candidates in clinical trials, spreading risk over multiple indications and multiple molecules.

Abgenix ended the third quarter with approximately $540 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. In addition, Abgenix holds long-term investments, primarily equity in corporate collaborators, totaling $67 million.

Third quarter 2001 company highlights included:

-- Announcing that Amgen has become the second licensee to submit
an IND for an antibody product candidate generated with our
XenoMouse(R) technology. There are now four fully human,
XenoMouse-derived antibodies in clinical trials, including two
of our own.

-- Initiating a Phase II clinical trial of ABX-EGF in a second
indication, non-small cell lung cancer, with our
co-development partner, Immunex. Abgenix`s ABX-EGF clinical
program also includes a Phase II trial in renal cancer.

-- Initiating a Phase IIa clinical trial of ABX-IL8 in a third
indication, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Abgenix`s ABX-IL8 clinical program also includes a Phase IIb
trial in psoriasis and a Phase IIa trial in rheumatoid
arthritis.

-- Entering a license collaboration with Agensys to use XenoMouse
technology to generate antibody therapeutics against Agensys`
cancer targets.

-- Expanding our senior management team with the appointments of
Bruce A. Keyt, Ph.D. as vice president, Pre-Clinical
Development, and H. David Miller as vice president,
Information Technology.


In addition, in early October, Abgenix received a $17 million payment from Celltech for the use of our SLAM technology. This payment will be recognized as revenue over the period during which the technology is transferred to Celltech, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2001. The company expects to meet its revenue and loss projections for the full year as announced in January 2001. The company expects contract revenues to be in a range of $30 - $35 million, and loss before amortization of goodwill and other intangibles to be in a range of $50 - $60 million.

"We are very pleased with our continued growth," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer. "We now have over 30 corporate collaborations involving our human antibody technologies, seven of which were formed since the beginning of this year. Two of our partners have advanced XenoMouse-derived antibody product candidates into clinical trials. In our own pipeline, ABX-IL8 and ABX-EGF have both moved successfully into additional Phase II clinical trials addressing a total of six disease indications. Our organization has grown as well, increasing from 180 to 319 employees in 2001. We continue to attract seasoned, talented people to help meet our corporate goals."

Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of human monoclonal antibody therapies for a variety of diseases. The company`s antibody technology platform, which includes XenoMouse(R) and XenoMax(TM) technology, enables the rapid generation and selection of high affinity, fully human antibody product candidates to disease targets appropriate for antibody therapy. Abgenix leverages its leadership position in human antibody technology by building a large and diversified product portfolio through the establishment of licensing arrangements with multiple pharmaceutical, biotechnology and genomics companies and through the development of its own internal proprietary products. For more information on Abgenix, visit the company`s website at www.abgenix.com.

Statements made in this press release about Abgenix`s technologies, product development activities and collaborative arrangements other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking statements and are subject to a number of uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including risks associated with the success of clinical trials, the progress of research and product development programs, the regulatory approval process, competitive products, future capital requirements and the extent and breadth of Abgenix`s patent portfolio. Please see Abgenix`s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information about risks that may affect Abgenix.

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF September 30, September 30,
OPERATIONS DATA 2001 2000 2001 2000
------ ------ ------ ------
(in thousands except (unaudited) (unaudited)
per share data)

Revenues:
Contract revenues $ 4,073 $ 7,634 $ 16,603 $ 13,077
Interest and other income 6,292 9,213 24,263 22,334
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues 10,365 16,847 40,866 35,411

Costs and Expenses:
Research and development 26,951 12,784 69,334 31,910
General and administrative 3,934 1,762 10,134 5,152
Amortization of intangible
assets 2,120 777 6,213 2,330
Interest expense 1 17 256 317
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total costs and expenses 33,006 15,340 85,937 39,709
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) ($22,641) $ 1,507 ($45,071) ($ 4,298)
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic net income (loss)
per share (a) ($ 0.26) $ 0.02 ($ 0.52) ($ 0.05)
======== ======== ======== ========
Shares used in computing
basic net income (loss)
per share 86,166 81,323 85,927 78,799
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted net income
(loss) per share ( ($ 0.26) $ 0.02 ($ 0.52) ($ 0.05)
======== ======== ======== ========
Shares used in computing
diluted net income
(loss) per share 86,166 88,611 85,927 78,799
======== ======== ======== ========


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET September 30, December 31,
DATA 2001 2000
---------------- --------------
(in thousands) (unaudited)

Cash, cash equivalents
and marketable securities $540,482 $692,883
Other current assets 22,836 25,155
-------- --------
Total current assets 563,318 718,038
Property and equipment, net 58,884 18,374
Long-term investments 66,988 79,181
Intangible assets, net 114,014 117,997
Deposits & other assets 8,369 3,210
-------- --------
Total assets $811,573 $936,800
======== ========
Deferred revenue $ 3,494 $ 6,978
Other current liabilities 27,789 14,151
Acquisition liabilities 364 75,429
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 31,647 96,558
Deferred rent 1,614 567
Stockholders` equity 778,312 839,675
-------- --------
Total liabilities and
stockholders` equity $811,573 $936,800
======== ========





FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 20, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) today announced that it has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase IIa clinical trial with ABX-IL8 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ABX-IL8 is the company`s lead fully human monoclonal antibody generated with XenoMouse(R) technology that blocks the activity of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine involved in several inflammatory diseases. With the start of the COPD trial, Abgenix`s clinical program now includes three Phase II clinical trials with ABX-IL8, including an ongoing Phase IIb trial in psoriasis and a Phase IIa clinical trial in rheumatoid arthritis that has recently completed enrollment.

"Abgenix is excited about the clinical potential of ABX-IL8 in various inflammatory diseases," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "COPD, the third indication to be explored, represents another substantial market opportunity for our lead anti-inflammatory product candidate. COPD is a chronic and debilitating disease afflicting millions of Americans and we are hopeful that ABX-IL8 will prove useful in treating the disease."

The Phase IIa trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ABX- IL8 in COPD. The study is designed to include a total of 150 patients across approximately 15 clinical sites in the U.S. Patients will receive a total of three doses of ABX-IL8 administered monthly over a two-month period. Efficacy analyses will focus on change in airflow (spirometry), dyspnea (breathlessness) and disease-related quality of life. Assuming patient enrollment is completed on schedule, results of the study are expected in the first quarter of 2003.

ABX-IL8 is a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine that is produced at sites of inflammation and attracts and activates inflammatory cells such as neutrophils. Elevated levels of IL-8 in the broncho-alveolar fluid and the lung tissue of COPD patients have been correlated with the number of infiltrating neutrophils. Neutrophil enzymes including elastase have been implicated in the chronic destruction of lung tissue in patients with COPD. Antibodies to IL-8 have been shown to block neutrophil migration in preclinical studies.

COPD is a chronic disease marked by inflammation and progressive de-truction of lung tissue resulting in dyspnea (shortness of breath), persistent cough, recurrent infections and chronic debilitation. Current treatments available today for COPD such as bronchodilators, steroids, antibiotics and expectorants, provide only symptomatic relief and do not directly address the underlying inflammatory process of the disease. COPD is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world. In the U.S., over 15 million people are estimated to suffer from COPD, 60% of whom have a severe form of the disease, with annual health care expenditures exceeding $20 billion.

Gruß Bogo!

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Nachträge:

FREMONT, Calif. & CLEVELAND--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 2, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) and Gliatech Inc. (Nasdaq:GLIA) today announced an agreement that provides Abgenix with exclusive worldwide rights to human monoclonal antibody therapies against the complement protein properdin as potential treatments for cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. Abgenix has generated lead antibody product candidates for Gliatech under a January 2000 collaboration and will now assume responsibility for development and commercialization. Abgenix anticipates filing an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA for an anti-properdin antibody product candidate next year.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abgenix obtains an exclusive license to develop and commercialize anti-properdin antibody therapies for all indications and will be responsible for clinical development, regulatory activities, manufacturing, marketing and sales. Gliatech will receive from Abgenix an upfront license fee of $1.5 million, a commitment for a future equity investment, potential milestone payments for multiple clinical indications, research funding for two years and royalties on net sales of any resulting products. Collectively, these non-royalty payments could reach approximately $40 million over the term of the contract if a product is successfully commercialized.

"An anti-properdin antibody represents a promising approach to the treatment of acute inflammatory conditions which result, for example, from cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, heart attacks and stroke," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "Gliatech has done a great deal of pre-clinical work in this field and has generated an important intellectual property position. We are excited to move toward clinical development of the first product candidate."

"Our collaborative work with Abgenix over the past two years has led to the identification of promising clinical candidate antibodies," said Steven L. Basta, president of Gliatech. "We have worked closely in this collaboration, and the XenoMouse(R) technology of Abgenix has been an important tool to create antibodies targeted at the properdin antigen that our research team identified in the inflammatory pathway. We are pleased that Abgenix has chosen this antibody among its portfolio of opportunities to move toward commercialization."

Gliatech has been involved in properdin research and its role in modulating inflammatory response for several years and recently received notice of allowance on its patent covering the antigen as a therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases. Agents which block properdin function may play a unique role in modulating the alternative complement pathway in a manner that avoids broad based immune suppression.

Properdin is a protein of the alternative complement pathway, which is a component of the normal host immune system. When the complement pathway is inappropriately triggered, tissue damage may result. Such is the case with acute damage, for example from stimulation of the complement pathway by cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Shutting down this inappropriate response may thus provide an important anti-inflammatory therapy for patients undergoing such procedures. In chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system aberrantly recognizes the patient`s own tissue and mounts an autoimmune response. Activation of the complement pathway in such a disease is thought to propagate this attack. An anti-properdin antibody may inhibit this cascade and thus limit tissue damage.

In January 2000, Abgenix and Gliatech established a research collaboration to generate fully human antibodies against properdin using Abgenix`s XenoMouse(R) technology. The companies have discovered monoclonal antibodies to properdin that are in vitro and ex vivo inhibitors of the complement alternative pathway. By selectively blocking the alternative pathway, the negative consequences of inappropriate complement activation can be attenuated without inhibiting other key elements of the normal host immune defense. In pre-clinical models, anti-properdin antibodies reduced damage to heart tissue in models of reduced blood flow and effectively blocked complement activation in models of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of human monoclonal antibody therapies for a variety of diseases. The company`s antibody technology platform, which includes XenoMouse(R) and XenoMax(TM) technologies, enables the rapid generation and selection of high affinity, fully human antibody product candidates to disease targets appropriate for antibody therapy. Abgenix leverages its leadership position in human antibody technology by building a large and diversified product portfolio through the establishment of licensing arrangements with multiple pharmaceutical, biotechnology and genomics companies and through the development of its own internal proprietary products. For more information on Abgenix, visit the company`s website at www.abgenix.com.

Gliatech Inc. is engaged in the discovery and development of biosurgery and pharmaceutical products. The biosurgery products include ADCON(R)-L and ADCON(R)-T/N and ADCON(R) Solution, which are proprietary, resorbable, carbohydrate polymer medical devices designed to inhibit scarring and adhesions following surgery. Gliatech`s pharmaceutical product candidates include small molecule drugs to modulate the cognitive state of the nervous system and proprietary monoclonal antibodies designed to inhibit inflammation.


FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 23, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABGX) today reported financial results for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2001.

For the three months ended September 30, 2001, the company reported a net loss of $22.6 million or $0.26 per share, compared to a net income of $1.5 million or $0.02 per share for the same period in 2000. Contract revenues for the current quarter were $4.1 million as compared to $7.6 million for the same quarter in 2000. Including interest income, total revenues for the current quarter were $10.4 million compared to $16.8 million for the same period in 2000. Contract revenues include license fees and milestone payments from customers and collaborators that are dependent on the timing of certain events and vary from quarter to quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, the company reported a net loss of $45.1 million compared to a net loss of $4.3 million in the same period of 2000. Contract revenues for the nine-month period in 2001 were $16.6 million compared to $13.1 million in the same period of 2000. Including interest income, total revenues for the nine-month period in 2001 increased to $40.9 million from $35.4 million for the same period in 2000.

Expenses increased in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2001 compared to the same periods in 2000 as the company forward integrates, ramping up target evaluation, antibody generation, pre-clinical and clinical studies, cell line development and antibody manufacturing with the goal of generating a large portfolio of product candidates in clinical trials, spreading risk over multiple indications and multiple molecules.

Abgenix ended the third quarter with approximately $540 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. In addition, Abgenix holds long-term investments, primarily equity in corporate collaborators, totaling $67 million.

Third quarter 2001 company highlights included:

-- Announcing that Amgen has become the second licensee to submit
an IND for an antibody product candidate generated with our
XenoMouse(R) technology. There are now four fully human,
XenoMouse-derived antibodies in clinical trials, including two
of our own.

-- Initiating a Phase II clinical trial of ABX-EGF in a second
indication, non-small cell lung cancer, with our
co-development partner, Immunex. Abgenix`s ABX-EGF clinical
program also includes a Phase II trial in renal cancer.

-- Initiating a Phase IIa clinical trial of ABX-IL8 in a third
indication, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Abgenix`s ABX-IL8 clinical program also includes a Phase IIb
trial in psoriasis and a Phase IIa trial in rheumatoid
arthritis.

-- Entering a license collaboration with Agensys to use XenoMouse
technology to generate antibody therapeutics against Agensys`
cancer targets.

-- Expanding our senior management team with the appointments of
Bruce A. Keyt, Ph.D. as vice president, Pre-Clinical
Development, and H. David Miller as vice president,
Information Technology.


In addition, in early October, Abgenix received a $17 million payment from Celltech for the use of our SLAM technology. This payment will be recognized as revenue over the period during which the technology is transferred to Celltech, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2001. The company expects to meet its revenue and loss projections for the full year as announced in January 2001. The company expects contract revenues to be in a range of $30 - $35 million, and loss before amortization of goodwill and other intangibles to be in a range of $50 - $60 million.

"We are very pleased with our continued growth," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer. "We now have over 30 corporate collaborations involving our human antibody technologies, seven of which were formed since the beginning of this year. Two of our partners have advanced XenoMouse-derived antibody product candidates into clinical trials. In our own pipeline, ABX-IL8 and ABX-EGF have both moved successfully into additional Phase II clinical trials addressing a total of six disease indications. Our organization has grown as well, increasing from 180 to 319 employees in 2001. We continue to attract seasoned, talented people to help meet our corporate goals."

Abgenix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of human monoclonal antibody therapies for a variety of diseases. The company`s antibody technology platform, which includes XenoMouse(R) and XenoMax(TM) technology, enables the rapid generation and selection of high affinity, fully human antibody product candidates to disease targets appropriate for antibody therapy. Abgenix leverages its leadership position in human antibody technology by building a large and diversified product portfolio through the establishment of licensing arrangements with multiple pharmaceutical, biotechnology and genomics companies and through the development of its own internal proprietary products. For more information on Abgenix, visit the company`s website at www.abgenix.com.

Statements made in this press release about Abgenix`s technologies, product development activities and collaborative arrangements other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking statements and are subject to a number of uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including risks associated with the success of clinical trials, the progress of research and product development programs, the regulatory approval process, competitive products, future capital requirements and the extent and breadth of Abgenix`s patent portfolio. Please see Abgenix`s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information about risks that may affect Abgenix.

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF September 30, September 30,
OPERATIONS DATA 2001 2000 2001 2000
------ ------ ------ ------
(in thousands except (unaudited) (unaudited)
per share data)

Revenues:
Contract revenues $ 4,073 $ 7,634 $ 16,603 $ 13,077
Interest and other income 6,292 9,213 24,263 22,334
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues 10,365 16,847 40,866 35,411

Costs and Expenses:
Research and development 26,951 12,784 69,334 31,910
General and administrative 3,934 1,762 10,134 5,152
Amortization of intangible
assets 2,120 777 6,213 2,330
Interest expense 1 17 256 317
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total costs and expenses 33,006 15,340 85,937 39,709
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) ($22,641) $ 1,507 ($45,071) ($ 4,298)
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic net income (loss)
per share (a) ($ 0.26) $ 0.02 ($ 0.52) ($ 0.05)
======== ======== ======== ========
Shares used in computing
basic net income (loss)
per share 86,166 81,323 85,927 78,799
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted net income
(loss) per share ( ($ 0.26) $ 0.02 ($ 0.52) ($ 0.05)
======== ======== ======== ========
Shares used in computing
diluted net income
(loss) per share 86,166 88,611 85,927 78,799
======== ======== ======== ========


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET September 30, December 31,
DATA 2001 2000
---------------- --------------
(in thousands) (unaudited)

Cash, cash equivalents
and marketable securities $540,482 $692,883
Other current assets 22,836 25,155
-------- --------
Total current assets 563,318 718,038
Property and equipment, net 58,884 18,374
Long-term investments 66,988 79,181
Intangible assets, net 114,014 117,997
Deposits & other assets 8,369 3,210
-------- --------
Total assets $811,573 $936,800
======== ========
Deferred revenue $ 3,494 $ 6,978
Other current liabilities 27,789 14,151
Acquisition liabilities 364 75,429
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 31,647 96,558
Deferred rent 1,614 567
Stockholders` equity 778,312 839,675
-------- --------
Total liabilities and
stockholders` equity $811,573 $936,800
======== ========





FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 20, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) today announced that it has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase IIa clinical trial with ABX-IL8 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ABX-IL8 is the company`s lead fully human monoclonal antibody generated with XenoMouse(R) technology that blocks the activity of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine involved in several inflammatory diseases. With the start of the COPD trial, Abgenix`s clinical program now includes three Phase II clinical trials with ABX-IL8, including an ongoing Phase IIb trial in psoriasis and a Phase IIa clinical trial in rheumatoid arthritis that has recently completed enrollment.

"Abgenix is excited about the clinical potential of ABX-IL8 in various inflammatory diseases," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "COPD, the third indication to be explored, represents another substantial market opportunity for our lead anti-inflammatory product candidate. COPD is a chronic and debilitating disease afflicting millions of Americans and we are hopeful that ABX-IL8 will prove useful in treating the disease."

The Phase IIa trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ABX- IL8 in COPD. The study is designed to include a total of 150 patients across approximately 15 clinical sites in the U.S. Patients will receive a total of three doses of ABX-IL8 administered monthly over a two-month period. Efficacy analyses will focus on change in airflow (spirometry), dyspnea (breathlessness) and disease-related quality of life. Assuming patient enrollment is completed on schedule, results of the study are expected in the first quarter of 2003.

ABX-IL8 is a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine that is produced at sites of inflammation and attracts and activates inflammatory cells such as neutrophils. Elevated levels of IL-8 in the broncho-alveolar fluid and the lung tissue of COPD patients have been correlated with the number of infiltrating neutrophils. Neutrophil enzymes including elastase have been implicated in the chronic destruction of lung tissue in patients with COPD. Antibodies to IL-8 have been shown to block neutrophil migration in preclinical studies.

COPD is a chronic disease marked by inflammation and progressive de-truction of lung tissue resulting in dyspnea (shortness of breath), persistent cough, recurrent infections and chronic debilitation. Current treatments available today for COPD such as bronchodilators, steroids, antibiotics and expectorants, provide only symptomatic relief and do not directly address the underlying inflammatory process of the disease. COPD is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world. In the U.S., over 15 million people are estimated to suffer from COPD, 60% of whom have a severe form of the disease, with annual health care expenditures exceeding $20 billion.

Gruß Bogo!

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FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 13, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) announced today that it acquired Hesed Biomed, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company with significant intellectual property and technology in the field of catalytic antibodies. A catalytic antibody (CAb) is a type of monoclonal antibody that cleaves and thereby permanently inactivates a target molecule, and goes on to locate and cleave other identical targets in a continuing process (a catalytic effect) while circulating in the body. While a standard monoclonal antibody (MAb) binds to a target once and temporarily inactivates that target, a single CAb can break down over 100,000 specific disease-promoting proteins during its life span in the body. This key difference could result in greater clinical activity and a much lower cost of goods on a per patient basis.

"The acquisition of Hesed provides Abgenix with a new class of therapeutic antibodies to build a large and diversified portfolio of new and important antibody treatments for serious diseases," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and CEO of Abgenix. "This acquisition is a continuation of Abgenix`s strategy of maintaining its leadership position in antibody technologies."

Geoffrey Davis, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Abgenix, added, "The tremendous potential of therapeutic antibody-based products is now recognized in the industry. Antibodies have been our focus from the beginning, and the exciting work being developed at Hesed on catalytic antibodies complements our core technologies for the discovery and development of new therapies. In certain disease settings, CAbs have the potential to dramatically improve the convenience and economics of antibody-based therapies. While significant work remains to fully realize the potential of catalytic antibodies, we now have an opportunity to offer an expanded array of antibody therapies."

Under the terms of the agreement, Abgenix will issue approximately 540,000 shares of common stock and pay approximately $360,000 in cash, in exchange for all Hesed shares. Abgenix also assumed approximately $2,000,000 of Hesed`s debt. The acquisition will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.

Background on Hesed and Catalytic Antibodies


Hesed`s catalytic antibody technologies were developed by Dr. Sudhir Paul of the University of Texas School of Medicine in Houston and are the subject of issued patents and pending patent applications. Hesed was formed in 1996 by Larry J. Smith, Ph.D. and was joined in 1997 by Dr. Paul and his platform catalytic antibody technology.

The idea of protein-cutting CAbs and their therapeutic potential has attracted the attention of scientists and businessmen alike since the Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling first put forth the concept in the 1940s. It was not until the late 1980s, however, that Dr. Paul made a discovery that may enable commercial production of CAbs. This was the discovery of naturally occurring, protein-cleaving CAbs. Dr. Paul`s research has shown that all such CAbs share a "serine protease" mechanism. He and his research group have developed methods to isolate CAbs from the immune systems of both humans and mice and to further engineer them to enhance their specificity. Combining these patented methods with Abgenix`s XenoMouse(R) and XenoMax(TM) technologies may provide a means of developing CAbs that can be commercially produced to selectively cleave any chosen protein at predetermined sites.

Gruß Bogo!

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LOS ANGELES, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Antibody therapy developer Abgenix Inc. (ABGX.O) on Monday named president Raymond Withy to replace R. Scott Greer as chief executive effective in mid 2002 as the company expands product development activities.

Greer, who will remain chairman of the company, said the shift makes sense given Withy`s technical background.

"I plan to remain very involved with Abgenix, only on a macro level," he said during a conference call.

Before being named president in January, Withy, 46, and a biochemist by training, was vice president of corporate development at Abgenix.

The Fremont, California-based company, a 1996 spin-off from biotech firm Cell Genesys Inc. (CEGE.O), derives most of its revenue from licensing its XenoMouse technology, a mouse that has been genetically engineered to generate human antibodies.

But Abgenix is seeking to leverage its antibody technology to build a diverse product portfolio of its own, including potential antibody-based treatments for diseases like cancer and arthritis.

Withy said the company, which now has two XenoMouse-derived antibodies in human clinical trials, expects to have 11 product candidates in the clinic by the end of next year, with 7 of those in the mid- to late stage of testing in humans. By the end of 2003, Abgenix aims to have 18 products in the clinic, with 11 in late-stage testing for their effectiveness in 20 different disease indications.

"The scale of pipeline growth is unprecedented in the biotech industry," Withy said.

The company also plans to boost its payroll from a projected 350 at the end of this year to 600 or 700 employees by the end of next year, Withy said.

"With the doubling of staff, we would expect to see a doubling, at least, of compensation. With relation to our cash balance, I think it is still a very manageable level," he said.

Abgenix, which reported a third-quarter net loss of $22.6 million, said it will issue updated financial guidance early next year. The company ended the third quarter with a cash balance of $540 million.

Gruß Bogo!

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NEW YORK, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Prudential Securities said on Tuesday that it is forecasting a bigger loss at Abgenix Inc. (ABGX.O), a developer of antibodies, as the company increases staff.

Analyst Peter Drake is expecting a loss of $1.60 per share instead of 88 cents per share as the company increases staff to 600 to 700 people by the end of 2002 from the projected 350 at the end of 2001.

``As a result of this large increase in staff we are increasing our SG&A expenses (estimate) for 2002 to $45M from $21M,`` Drake said in a research note.

Abgenix is accelerating its transition from a platform company to a product company, with plans to have 11 products in the clinic by year-end 2002 and 18 by year-end 2003, Drake said.

Abgenix also said President and Chief Operating Officer Raymond Withy will replace Chief Executive Officer Scott Greer in mid-2002. Greer will assume the role of executive chairman.

Gruß Bogo!

P.S. Bei dieser Expansionspolitik kein Wunder! Wollen wir mal hoffen, dass die sich nicht übernehemen!

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FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 26, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) today announced that it has exclusively in-licensed from Duke University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University a potential new target for the treatment of cancer. This target, known as EGFrvIII, is a member of the family of epidermal growth factor receptors. Other members of this important family include Her2, the target of the marketed antibody treatment, Herceptin; and epidermal growth factor receptor ("EGFr"), the target of Abgenix`s fully human monoclonal antibody, ABX-EGF, currently in co-development with Immunex Corp. in Phase II clinical trials for renal and lung cancer. The receptors EGFr and EGFrvIII differ in their expression patterns: EGFr is expressed in normal tissue while it is over-expressed in many of the most prevalent human tumor types. EGFrvIII is not expressed in normal tissue, but, to date, has been identified to be expressed in brain, breast, lung and ovarian cancer tissue. This suggests that EGFrvIII may be a more specific target for antibody-based cancer therapies.

EGFrvIII was discovered by lead investigators Bert Vogelstein, M.D., Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University and Darell Bigner, M.D., Ph.D., the Jones Professor of Pathology and Deputy Director of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, and is the subject of several issued patents and pending patent applications. The license agreement with Duke and Hopkins provides Abgenix with worldwide exclusive rights to develop and commercialize antibody-based therapeutics to EGFrvIII.

"Because EGFrvIII expression is restricted to tumor cells, it holds promise for the development of very specific antibody treatments for cancer," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "We continue to believe that the epidermal growth factor receptor family offers some of the most exciting targets for antibody-based cancer therapies. Antibodies to this recently discovered receptor, EGFrvIII, complement our extensive and ongoing work with ABX-EGF which binds to EGFr. EGFRvIII represents an ideal fit with our clinical oncology development programs and is an opportunity to explore other unmet medical needs in the vast area of cancer."

The class III variant of the epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFrvIII, is characterized by a deletion in the cDNA sequence of the EGFr, resulting in the formation of a new, tumor-specific receptor (cell surface marker). This spontaneously occurring receptor is found specifically in a high percentage in brain, breast, lung and ovarian tumors and does not appear to be found on normal human tissue.

It is estimated that over 150,000 cancer patients in the United States undergo treatment every year for tumors that specifically express EGFrvIII. For example, an estimated 50% of brain cancer, 50-70% of breast and ovarian cancer, and 15% of NSCLC express EGFrvIII. Abgenix and its collaborators will continue to evaluate the expression of EGFrvIII in other tumor types.

Gruß Bogo!

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Ray Withy: Abgenix`s Man With A Plan


Abgenix Inc. may not be the only biotechnology company with big dreams, but it`s certainly doing more than many to turn those dreams into reality. Long synonymous with monoclonal antibodies and the XenoMouse, the company is hoping to turn its technology leadership into a ticket to the big leagues.

Big changes are already underway.

On November 19, Abgenix announced that Raymond Withy – currently the company`s president and COO – will replace R. Scott Greer as CEO, effective in mid-2002. Withy will also join the company`s board of directors, effective immediately. Greer, who will stay on as chairman and continue to be involved in running Abgenix "at a more macro level," said the decision reflects the firm`s continuing evolution.

"The level of success Abgenix achieves in its second five years will be a function of how well we execute on product development and business collaboration management," Greer said. "Both of these areas play to Ray`s strengths."

Both are also key components of Abgenix`s bold plan to transform itself from a technology supplier with a successful licensing business into a product company with a formidable pipeline of antibody-based therapeutics.

Greer began outlining this plan for Signals last year (see the Signals article "Companies Load Up On Magic Bullets"). In an interview in January 2001 (see the Signals article "Grand Ambitions"), he made bold predictions about clinical progress, promising that Abgenix would be supporting seven trials on four product candidates by year`s end. Today, those predictions have come true. Given this remarkable progress and the imminent change in leadership at Abgenix, Signals decided it was a good time to get to know the man charged with following through on Greer`s grand plan.




Raymond Withy
Withy and Greer have been working together for 10 years. Both men are veterans of Cell Genesys Inc., and both were part of the original team that led Abgenix`s spin-off from that company in 1996.


"We have a common vision," Withy said.

That vision is of a company transformed from a small-but-intriguing technology licensing operation to a genuine biopharmaceutical powerhouse. It wants to see its name on pharmacy shelves. That dream is hardly unique among biotechs, but Withy says Abgenix has four important things going for it: compelling technology, a strong management team, a clear plan and the money to make it all happen.

2000 was a good year for Abgenix. The company raised more than $1 billion from the public and private capital markets (including some $250 million for shareholder and parent Cell Genesys). Its stock split twice and its market cap doubled. It also made some important acquisitions that fortified its position as a leader in antibody technologies.

This year, the company started spending that money in a big way.

Those looking for proof that Abgenix is serious about ramping up need look no further than its balance sheet. Abgenix ended the third quarter of 2001 with $540 million in the bank, another $67 million of equity in collaborations and essentially no debt. It is right on track to lose between $50 million and $60 million this year, despite contract revenues of $30 million to $35 million.

Instead of going into the bank, that money is going to fund an ambitious growth plan with four key objectives: developing proprietary products, selectively out-licensing antibody-generation technology, managing risks through product and indication diversity, and maintaining technology leadership in the antibody arena.

Right now, the focus is on filling the pipeline.

"This is all about product," Withy said.


Abgenix will rely heavily on its partners for new targets to fuel this pipeline expansion. Because of deals with companies like CuraGen Corp., it already has access to hundreds of them, but Withy said Abgenix must continue to pursue new targets to stay ahead of the competition.

In some cases, these target-sourcing collaborations with proteomics and genomics companies include product co-development agreements. Such deals help Abgenix maintain a healthy licensing business while pursuing loftier goals. The work may be less profitable, but it is also far less risky. That sort of security can come in handy when you are contemplating a leap off the high board.

In an effort to retain its technology edge, Abgenix is also pursuing some 30 target-focused collaborations with academic institutions. Most of these concentrate on oncology and inflammation – what Abgenix sees as its core competencies – but some focus on other areas, such as infectious diseases. Additional basic science collaborations are also ongoing.

On November 26, Abgenix signed an exclusive licensing deal with Duke University Medical Center and The Johns Hopkins University for EGFrvIII, a potential new target for cancer treatment. It is part of the family of epidermal growth factor receptors that also includes EGFr, the target of Abgenix`s existing ABX-EGF monoclonal antibody, but could prove a much more specific target.

Abgenix is continuing to buy companies with compelling technologies. On November 13, it announced the acquisition of Hesed Biomed Inc., a leading developer of catalytic antibodies. Unlike regular monoclonal antibodies that bind to a target once and render it temporarily inactive, a catalytic antibody permanently inactivates its target molecule and goes on to locate and cleave other identical targets as it circulates through the body. This could translate into greater clinical activity and lower costs for antibody-based therapeutics.

Alliances are another important source for new product technologies. On November 2, Abgenix announced an agreement with Gliatech Inc. that gives it exclusive rights to develop and commercialize anti-properdin antibody therapies for all indications. Pre-clinical models indicate this is a promising approach to the treatment of acute inflammatory conditions.


Approximately 80 percent of Abgenix`s operating resources are now devoted to in-house clinical and pre-clinical programs. The company currently has five products based on its antibody technology in clinical trials – three of its own and one each with Pfizer Inc. and Amgen Inc. While Withy would not disclose the target of the Amgen product, he said Pfizer is working on a cancer antibody.

Abgenix also plans to go to clinic with another in-house product around the end of this year. That would give the company a total of six products in the pipeline. But, according to Withy, this is only the beginning. "Our goal – next year and beyond – is to file two new INDs each year."

PRODUCT TARGET INDICATION STATUS PARTNER
ABX-IL8 IL-8, an inflammatory cytokine Psoriasis Phase IIb enrollment to be completed this year and results reported in Q2 of 2002. Phase III trials could begin as early as 2003 if current efforts to reformulate the drug are successful. None
ABX-IL8 IL-8, an inflammatory cytokine Rheumatoid Arthritis Phase IIa is fully enrolled and results are expected as early as January (this is a proof-of-concept study for this indication). None
ABX-IL8 IL-8, an inflammatory cytokine Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Phase IIa enrollment to be completed by Q3 of 2002. Data may be available as early as Q1 2003. None
ABX-EGF epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) Kidney Cancer Phase II trials underway under the direction of Abgenix. Results are expected by mid-2002. Immunex
ABX-EGF epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Phase II trials underway under the direction of Immunex. Immunex
ABX-EGF epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) Other EGFr-expressing cancers Abgenix expects to initiate Phase II trials for a third indication by Q1 of 2002 and plans to start two more Phase II studies by the end of 2002. Immunex
ABX-CBL CBL antigen (CD147), which is upregulated on activated immune cells Steroid-resistant Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD) Enrollment for ongoing Phase II/III study to be completed by the end of 2002. Data should be available by Q1 2003. SangStat Medical
ND ND ND Plans to file a fourth IND for an Abgenix product between now and January 2002, but is not divulging details. None
ND CD45 isoform RB* Auto-immune diseases Collaborating with Research Corporation Technologies (RCT) to develop human monoclonal antibodies for CD45RB. Pre-clinical studies conducted by RCT have shown promise in mice and monkey models. None
ND properdin, a complement protein* Chronic inflammation diseases Collaborating with Gliatech Inc. to develop human monoclonal antibody therapies capable of selectively blocking the action of this complement protein. None



* These products are among the four candidates for two in-house IND slots Abgenix plans to fill in 2002.

Withy predicted Abgenix`s development partners will file another three INDs annually. Between itself and its partners, the company expects to have 11 product candidates in clinical trials by the end of 2002 and 18 in the clinic by the end of 2003. Of these at least seven will be in either Phase II or Phase III trials in 2002, with 11 or more in Phase II or Phase III trials by the end of 2003. Withy estimated that these candidates will be evaluated for over 20 different indications.

He acknowledged the plan is audacious.

"This scale of pipeline growth is unprecedented in the biotech industry," Withy said. "What we`re really doing is creating a portfolio of products."

Abgenix is even negotiating a significant expansion of its existing contract with the U.S. military to develop monoclonal antibodies capable of countering the new threat of bioterrorism.

The goal of all this work is pipeline diversity. While some early biotechs, like Amgen, were able to propel themselves out of the primordial soup with a couple of products, that has become an increasingly rare occurrence. Withy believes the only companies with a real shot at the big time today are those that have a broad product platform. That is the kind of company Abgenix is working hard to become – one with enough products in its pipeline to cover the inevitable failures.

"Either that, or you`re just rolling the dice," Withy said.


Abgenix begins looking for partners for products once their efficacy has become clear – generally at or near the end of Phase II trials. That allows the company to command better percentages, Withy explained.

By way of example, he pointed to the 50-50 deal Abgenix inked with Immunex Corp. last year to develop ABX-EGF, a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) which is over-expressed on a variety of cancers.

"The target was well known, the biology clear," Withy said. "That makes our model work."

While Withy admitted the Immunex deal was pretty plum, he said Abgenix believes it can negotiate similar terms for other promising products, such as ABX-IL8, a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets IL-8, an inflammatory cytokine. The drug is already in clinical trials for three indications: psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Abgenix plans to complete Phase IIb enrollment for the psoriasis study before the end of this year and expects to report results sometime in the second quarter of 2002. Withy is confident Abgenix will find a development partner for this indication by the end of 2002. He is also confident his company will be able to retain a significant financial interest in the drug.

The best way to do that is by investing in that region of the product development chain where Abgenix can add the most value for the money it spends – early-stage development. Withy still believes that partnering with pharmaceutical companies is the best strategy for taking his products into Phase III clinical trials, producing them, marketing them and capitalizing on them.


While fat percentages are nice, they are not the only things Withy is looking for in deals today. A good deal, he said, is one that allows Abgenix to retain co-promotion rights.

Again, the Immunex deal is an example. It gives Abgenix the option of exercising a 50 percent co-promotion right. These rights will become very important when Abgenix decides to forward integrate and become a full-fledged biopharmaceutical company.

"Ultimately, we will be forward integrating," Withy said. "The question is one of timing."

Triggering these co-promotion rights would give Abgenix a ready-made portfolio. Add a sales force, said Withy, and you are ready to go.

Where Abgenix would go if it could remains an open question. Withy said the company would likely forward integrate into one of the markets where it feels particularly competent, such as oncology. However, he also stressed that the firm is still a long way from making such a bold move.

Abgenix will not leap before it is ready, Withy promised. And he knows better than most just how much still needs to be done before the company is ready.

"The ongoing challenges will be operational – to make it all work," Withy said.

By the end of 2001, Abgenix hopes to have some 350 employees on the payroll. By the end of 2002, Withy expects that number to have doubled. Growing that much that quickly could pose some serious problems for any company, let alone one that credits much of its success to the quality of its employees. The secret, Withy said, is to build around a solid management framework – a framework he said is already in place at Abgenix.

"Increasingly, it`s all about teamwork," Withy said. "We have built a superb team."

Production is another major hurdle Abgenix will have to overcome, though the company is well on its way to clearing it. Right now, Abgenix relies on Lonza Biologics for contract production, but it has already begun work on its own 100,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Fremont, CA.

The facility is scheduled to go online by the end of 2002. When it does, Withy is confident Abgenix will have enough capacity to handle all of its own clinical needs, as well as a good bit of client work. The plant will even be big enough for commercial-scale production, should the need arise.

The company has invested heavily in developing process sciences and manufacturing technologies. Withy said that Abgenix will be able to offer an integrated solution that covers everything from antibody discovery through the production of materials, once the new plant is up and running.

"I think we are definitely ahead of the curve on manufacturing," Withy said.


While the transformation going on at Abgenix today is certainly a radical one, Withy said it also reflects the changing nature of the biotechnology industry as a whole.

"There are many more product opportunities," he explained. "The balance of power has changed somewhat between pharma and biotech."

Companies on both sides of the equation are starting to focus on what they do best, Withy said. There is more collaboration, and more "win-win" deals are starting to emerge as the two industries learn to play to each other`s strengths. For biotech, that means innovation. For pharma, that means everything from Phase III enrollment to the pharmacy shelf.

"In that regard, we have a lot to learn from pharma still," he said.

Abgenix is trying to be a good student. One day soon, Withy is convinced the student will be ready to challenge the master.

"I`ve never been more excited about Abgenix," Withy said. "It`s a very exciting time."

Gruß Bogo!

http://www.signalsmag.com/signalsmag.nsf/0/66713C17F45D057F8…

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Verbesserte Maus während der Antibody Engineering Conference vorgestellt:

FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 4, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) announced today at the IBC Antibody Engineering Conference in San Diego, Calif., the launch of new versions of XenoMouse(R) mice that produce fully human monoclonal antibodies that contain both lambda and kappa light chains. Other transgenic mouse technologies in the commercial sector make human antibodies that contain only kappa light chains. Abgenix expects these strains of mice, making both human IgG kappa and human IgG lambda monoclonal antibodies, to expand significantly the number and diversity of XenoMouse-derived antibody product candidates for its collaborators and for itself.

The purpose of adding the human Ig lambda(lambda light chain genes) to XenoMouse strains of mice is to capture and to mimic more completely the full repertoire of the human antibody response. Approximately 40% of human antibodies have lambda light chains (Ig lambda) and the other 60% have kappa light chains (Ig kappa). Building on the foundation of the previous versions of XenoMouse mice, these new transgenic mice possess the complete immunoglobulin gene locus for making human lambda light chain antibodies in addition to genes encoding human heavy chain antibodies and human kappa light chain antibodies.

"The generation of these new strains of XenoMouse mice demonstrates our commitment to maintaining technological leadership in the antibody field," said R. Scott Greer, chairman and CEO of Abgenix. "Our comprehensive program of antibody technologies, which includes the XenoMouse and XenoMax platforms, intrabodies and catalytic antibodies, provides Abgenix and its collaborators with state-of-the-art tools for creating antibody-based therapeutic products."

Introduction of the complete lambda light chain locus, containing 30 functional V genes, by Abgenix scientists extends the earlier achievement of Dr. Marianne Bruggemann of the Babraham Institute in the United Kingdom. Bruggemann previously generated a transgenic mouse bearing approximately half of the human lambda light chain locus and demonstrated that these genes were functional. Abgenix licensed the lambda light chain genes and obtained certain related materials from the Medical Research Council of the United Kingdom to make this new strain of XenoMouse animals.

Abgenix`s XenoMouse technology involves transgenic mouse strains that possess an immune system in which the mouse antibody-producing genes have been inactivated and functionally replaced by most of the human antibody-producing genes. The XenoMouse animal`s immune system still recognizes human antigens as foreign, but instead of producing mouse antibodies it produces fully human antibodies. Abgenix has developed multiple strains of XenoMouse mice that produce different classes of IgG antibodies (IgG1, IgG2, IgG4) for optimally choosing the antibody product candidate to a given disease indication.

Abgenix`s XenoMax(TM) technology allows researchers to rapidly scan the majority of the immune repertoire of an immunized XenoMouse animal, and to identify B-cells that produce antibodies with the desired functional properties and the optimum affinities. Using rapid microplate-based assays to measure and rank antibodies according to design goals (e.g., potency, affinity, specificity), individual B-cells producing extremely high-quality antibodies can be identified and the antibody encoding genes recovered. XenoMax technology bypasses the generation of hybridomas and speeds product development timelines by allowing researchers to move directly into pre-clinical assessment of panels of suitable recombinant candidate antibody products, each ready for manufacturing scale-up.

Gruß Bogo!

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Älterer Bericht vom 25.10.01

Another company that could benefit from the DOD`s new interest in bioterrorism is Fremont, CA-based Abgenix Inc.

Abgenix is the company that gave mice the ability to generate most human antibodies. It already has a contract to provide these "xenomice" to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID). USAMRIID uses the mice to produce and test human monoclonal antibodies against viruses like smallpox and Ebola, but the company`s chief scientific officer, Geoff Davis, believes Abgenix could do much of that work itself – and do it more quickly.

"The talks (with the USAMRIID) are still at a fairly early stage," Davis said. "We`re just getting the paperwork now to expand the relationship. (But) I`m looking for that to get consummated within a month."

While Abgenix has no interest in working with infectious agents per se, Davis said his company could manage large-scale production of the antibodies at a new manufacturing facility it hopes to bring online by the end of next year. He said the new plant would boast cell lines capable of producing hundreds of kilograms of antibodies annually.

According to Davis, monoclonal antibodies can be administered after exposure to biohazards and still provide protection. And, unlike antibiotics, they are non-immunogenic and do not run the risk of creating broad resistances.

"I think we`re looking at a real dire situation," he said. "I think we have the most viable solution."

Companies that manufacture detection devices are also seeing new business come their way.

Ausschnitt aus: http://www.signalsmag.com/signalsmag.nsf/657b06742b5748e8882…

Gruss Bogo!

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Dritte Phase 2 Versuchsreihe für ABX-EGF:

Abgenix Announces Initiation of Phase II Clinical Trial of ABX-EGF in Colorectal Cancer

FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 27, 2001--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) announced today the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial of ABX-EGF in patients with colorectal cancer. ABX-EGF is a fully human monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), a receptor identified in many solid tumor types. This clinical trial, the third Phase II study of ABX-EGF, is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of ABX-EGF as monotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have previously failed chemotherapy. ABX-EGF is being developed in collaboration with Immunex Corporation.

This multi-center, open-label Phase II study will enroll up to 100 patients. Patients will receive intravenous infusions of 2.5 mg/kg of ABX-EGF weekly over an 8-week treatment cycle, for up to 6 cycles.

"We are pleased to advance our clinical oncology program with the start of this third Phase II trial for ABX-EGF," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "Our goal is to provide effective, antibody-based therapeutic options for cancer patients."

Preliminary results of an ongoing Phase I clinical trial of ABX-EGF show that it is well tolerated and shows biological activity at low doses. Thus far, three patients in the Phase I study have achieved stable disease/minor response. Other Phase II studies of ABX-EGF in kidney cancer and non-small cell lung cancer are currently ongoing.

About ABX-EGF


ABX-EGF is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), which is over-expressed on a variety of cancers including lung, breast, bladder, prostate, colorectal, kidney and head and neck cancer. It has been demonstrated that cancer cells can become dependent on growth signals mediated through the EGFr for their survival. In mouse models, ABX-EGF monotherapy has been shown to both eradicate established human tumors and block the growth of human tumors.

About Colorectal Cancer


Overexpression of the EGFr has been reported to occur in the tumor tissue of 40-70% of colorectal cancer patients. In 2000, there were approximately 57,000 deaths and an estimated 130,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States, making it the second leading cause of death from cancer in North America. Chemotherapy regimen with irinotecan plus fluorouracil and leucovorin is currently the standard first-line treatment worldwide for metastatic colorectal cancer. However, the median progression free survival with this combination regimen is only seven months and there is a need for more effective therapies.

Gruß Bogo!

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Vierte Phase 2 Versuchsreihe für ABX-IL8:

Abgenix files IND application for ABX-IL8 in cancer; Lead Anti-Inflammatory Antibody May Have Broad Application in Cancer

FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 2, 2002--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) today announced the submission of an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate clinical trials of ABX-IL8, a fully human monoclonal antibody product candidate generated with XenoMouse(R) technology, for the potential treatment of a wide variety of cancers. The first cancer indication in which the company plans to evaluate ABX-IL8 will be metastatic melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, in a Phase II trial. Melanoma is the fourth clinical indication to be explored with ABX-IL8.

ABX-IL8 targets interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine involved in several inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary disorders. ABX-IL8 is currently in Phase II clinical development for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Increasing evidence indicates that IL-8 also plays an important role in stimulating tumor angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels that nourish the tumor) and controlling proliferation and metastasis (spread) of tumor cells. Tumors expressing high levels of IL-8 include skin cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer and brain cancer.

"Our research findings show that ABX-IL8, our lead anti-inflammatory antibody product candidate, may have a role in the treatment of cancer," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "Pre-clinical studies suggest that ABX-IL8 has potent anti-angiogenic properties. We are encouraged by the clinical progress of ABX-IL8 to date and continue to believe in the diverse market potential of our first XenoMouse-derived antibody."

The proposed Phase II trial for melanoma will be a multiple dose study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ABX-IL8 in combination with dacarbazine compared to dacarbazine alone. Up to 120 patients will be enrolled.

Pre-clinical studies have shown that melanoma cells frequently produce and secrete IL-8 at high levels. In addition, melanoma cells expressing high levels of IL-8 also show increased production of certain metalloproteases, enzymes which break down the normal tissue matrix surrounding developing tumors, thereby facilitating angiogenesis and metastasis. Pre-clinical study results show that ABX-IL8 blocks angiogenesis and inhibits the growth of human melanoma tumors implanted into mice. Importantly, ABX-IL8 also inhibited spread of melanoma to the lung. Further, there was a significant increase in the number of cells undergoing apoptosis (programmed cell death) compared to tumors derived from untreated control mice.

Gruß Bogo!

[gholzbauer]

Thursday January 3, 5:07 pm Eastern Time
Abgenix says drug fails in arthritis trial
FREMONT, Calif., Jan 3 (Reuters) - Drug maker Abgenix Inc. (NasdaqNM:ABGX - news) said on Thursday that it will not explore use of its antibody-based drug ABX-IL8 as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis after a it failed to prove effective in a mid-stage clinical trial.

The company, based in Fremont, California, said it will continue to pursue development of ABX-IL8 as a treatment for other diseases including psoriasis, chronic obstructive pu Du Du*? DI???`?? IN? DI IN? IN?ic cancer. Trials for those indications are currently underway.

Abgenix said a Phase 2a study of ABX-IL8 in 153 rheumatoid arthritis patients failed to meet its end point of showing that the drug reduced patient symptoms such as swollen joints by at least 20 percent after 12 weeks of treatment.

In an analysis of all randomized patients, 31 percent of placebo-treated patients achieved at least a 20 percent reduction in scores on a commonly-used scale of arthritis symptoms, compared with 34 percent of ABX-IL8-treated patients, the company said.

ABX-IL8 is an antibody designed to block the activity of interleukin-8, a protein involved in several diseases.

---------

Thursday January 3, 5:27 pm Eastern Time
Abgenix slumps after ending drug trials
NEW YORK, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Shares of drugmaker Abgenix Inc. (NasdaqNM:ABGX - news) slumped in extended hours trading on Thursday after it said it will not explore use of its antibody-based drug ABX-IL8 as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

The company said the drug did not prove effective in a mid-stage clinical trial.

Abgenix fell to $25.18 on the Instinet electronic brokerage system from Thursday`s close of $31.68.

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Auch wenn es keinen Spaß macht, hier die Originalmeldung zur Vervollständigung:

Abgenix Releases Results of a Phase 2a Study With ABX-IL8 in Rheumatoid Arthritis

FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 3, 2002--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) announced results of a Phase 2a study with ABX-IL8 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. ABX-IL8 is a fully human monoclonal antibody generated with Abgenix`s XenoMouse(R) technology that blocks the activity of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine involved in several diseases. Phase 2 clinical studies have been conducted or are underway in psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and metastatic cancer.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2a study of ABX-IL8 randomized 153 rheumatoid arthritis patients at 23 sites in the U.S. One dose level, 300 mg of ABX-IL8, was assessed. ABX-IL8 was administered every three weeks for a total of four infusions; the first infusion was a 2x loading dose (600 mg). Patients were evaluated at three-week intervals through Week 15. The objective of the Phase 2a study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ABX-IL8 in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. To be eligible to participate in the study, patients must have been receiving methotrexate and have had active rheumatoid arthritis defined as greater than or equal to 8 swollen joints, greater than or equal to 10 tender joints and two out of three of the following: elevated CRP, morning stiffness greater than or equal to 45 minutes, or patient assessment of disease activity greater than or equal to 4 on a 1-10 scale.

Overall, ABX-IL8 was safe and well tolerated. The incidence of adverse events was similar in both treatment groups and no human anti-human antibodies were detected at any timepoint in any patient.

The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an ACR 20 response at Week 12. An ACR 20 response requires a greater than or equal to 20% reduction in swollen joint count, a greater than or equal to 20% reduction in tender joint count and a greater than or equal to 20% improvement in three out of five of the following: patient`s assessment of pain, patient`s assessment of disease activity, investigator`s assessment of disease activity, acute phase reactant (CRP) and patient`s assessment of functional status (HAQ score). In an analysis of all randomized patients, 31% of placebo-treated patients achieved an ACR 20 response at Week 12 compared with 34% of ABX-IL8-treated patients. In a subset analysis of patients with more active disease (the 70% of patients in the study who had greater than or equal to 12 swollen joints at baseline) 41% of ABX-IL8-treated-patients achieved an ACR 20 response compared with 27% of placebo-treated patients. Additionally, a correlation between serum levels of ABX-IL8 and clinical response was observed. Forty-seven percent of patients with ABX-IL8 serum concentrations above the median level achieved an ACR 20 response at Week 12, compared to a 33 percent ACR 20 response rate in patients below the median. Despite this evidence of anti-inflammatory activity, the magnitude of the benefit did not meet the company`s criteria for moving forward to a Phase 2b study.

"While we are disappointed by the clinical results achieved with ABX-IL8 in rheumatoid arthritis, we remain enthusiastic about ABX-IL8 in the other indications we are pursuing including psoriasis, COPD, and metastatic melanoma," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "Importantly, ABX-IL8 appears to be safe and well tolerated in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, supporting the strong safety profile we have seen in psoriasis. In addition, data from this study continue to support the anti-inflammatory effects of ABX-IL8.

"Abgenix`s strategy of building a diversified clinical portfolio avoids excessive reliance on any one indication," Greer continued. "Our goal is to design Phase 2a trials that provide meaningful information about efficacy, but which avoid overspending on our product candidates while we explore different indications to determine the ones for which they are best suited."

ABX-IL8 is currently under investigation in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and metastatic melanoma. The results of a Phase 2a study in psoriasis, presented early in 2001, indicated that ABX-IL8 at the 3 mg/kg dose level was effective in reducing skin scores over a 3-month treatment period. A Phase 2b study in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis completed enrollment in 4Q01. A Phase 2a study in patients with COPD, a major unmet clinical need, began enrollment in 4Q01.

Gruß Bogo!

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Weiterer Phase 2 Test für ABX-EGF:

Abgenix Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial of ABX-EGF in Prostate Cancer

FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 3, 2002--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) announced today the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of ABX-EGF in patients with prostate cancer. ABX-EGF is a fully human monoclonal antibody specific for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), a receptor identified in many solid tumor types. This clinical trial, the fourth Phase 2 study of ABX-EGF, is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of ABX-EGF in patients with hormone resistant prostate cancer without metastasis. Abgenix is developing ABX-EGF in collaboration with Immunex Corporation.

This multi-center, open-label Phase 2 study will enroll up to 50 patients. Patients will receive intravenous infusions of 2.5 mg/kg of ABX-EGF weekly over an 8-week treatment cycle, for up to 5 cycles. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study will be measured by prostate specific antigen (PSA) response rates (decrease of PSA level by greater than or equal to 50% compared to baseline).

"We are pleased to advance our clinical oncology program with the start of this fourth Phase 2 trial for ABX-EGF," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "Our goal is to provide effective, antibody-based therapeutic options for cancer patients."

Preliminary results of an ongoing, dose-escalating Phase 1 clinical trial of ABX-EGF show that it is well tolerated and shows biological activity at low doses. Thus far, three patients in the Phase 1 study, one of which had prostate cancer, have achieved stable disease or minor response. Other Phase 2 studies of ABX-EGF that are currently ongoing are in kidney cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer.

Gruß Bogo!

[BonMala]

Werft mal einen Blick in Boersenman (Analysen)...

Grüßle

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Wie angekündigt schiebt Abgenix den nächsten Kandidaten in die Produktpipeline. Somit sind jetzt vier eigene und jeweils eins mit Amgen und Pfizer in den Testphasen!

Abgenix Files IND Application for ABX-MA1 in Melanoma

FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 7, 2002--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) announced today the submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate Phase I clinical trials of ABX-MA1, a fully human monoclonal antibody candidate generated with the company`s XenoMouse(R) technology, for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.

ABX-MA1 targets a protein called MUC18, a cell surface adhesion molecule that is highly expressed on metastatic melanoma cells but not on normal skin cells. MUC18 has been demonstrated to play a critical role in melanoma growth and metastasis by regulating the adhesion and interaction between melanoma cells and surrounding skin cells and new blood vessel cells. In pre-clinical studies, binding of the MUC18 antigen by ABX-MA1 inhibited primary melanoma tumor growth and the formation of tumor metastases. MUC18 is also expressed on sarcomas, including smooth muscle and blood vessel-derived sarcomas, prostate and renal cell cancers.

"We had set a goal of submitting an IND for a new Abgenix proprietary product for the year 2001, and we are pleased to announce we have reached this goal," R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix said. "ABX-MA1 is the fifth XenoMouse-derived antibody to enter clinical trials. Looking to the year ahead, we anticipate increased clinical activity and advancement of our development pipeline with two Abgenix and three collaborator IND filings for 2002."

About Melanoma


Melanoma is the most serious cancer of the skin. Presently, it is the seventh most common cancer in the United States. The projected 2001 incidence rate in the U.S. is 51,400 and mortality rate is 7,800. Melanoma can spread in the body through the blood and lymphatic system. Organ involvement by metastases, most commonly to the lungs and liver, is the leading cause of death from the disease. Melanomas that have not spread beyond the site at which they developed are curable by surgical excision. Melanoma that has spread to distant sites is infrequently curable with surgery, although long-term survival is occasionally achieved by resection of metastasis. Radiation therapy may provide symptomatic relief for metastases to brain, bones and viscera. Although advanced melanoma is relatively resistant to standard chemotherapy, some biologic therapies, such as interferon alfa and interleukin-2 have been reported to produce a low percentage of objective responses.

Gruß Bogo!

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Abgenix Announces Initiation of a Phase 2 Clinical Trial of ABX-EGF in Combination With Chemotherapy in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 8, 2002--Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) announced today the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of ABX-EGF in patients with colorectal cancer. This clinical trial, the fifth Phase 2 study of ABX-EGF and the second for the colorectal cancer indication, is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of ABX-EGF in combination with standard chemotherapy, as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Abgenix is developing ABX-EGF in collaboration with Immunex Corp.

ABX-EGF is a fully human monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), a receptor identified in many solid tumor types. The multi-center, open-label Phase 2 study will enroll up to 84 patients. Patients will receive weekly intravenous infusions of 2.5 mg/kg of ABX-EGF in combination with standard doses of irinotecan, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil over a 6-week treatment cycle, for up to eight cycles.

"For patients with colorectal cancer, we are evaluating ABX-EGF as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with standard chemotherapy in two separate Phase 2 studies," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "We are pleased with the progress the joint Abgenix/Immunex team has made in advancing development of our lead antibody candidate for cancer."

Preliminary results of an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of ABX-EGF show that it is well tolerated and shows biological activity at low doses. Thus far, three patients in the Phase 1 study have achieved stable disease or minor response. Other Phase 2 studies of ABX-EGF in kidney cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and prostate cancer are currently ongoing.

Gruß Bogo!

[berliner_weisse]

http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-aktien/abgenix.a…

WKN Unternehmen/Aktie Markt Branche Vortag Aktuell Veränderung Zeit
915.298 ABGENIX NASDAQ 100
Pharma
32,68 32,71 +0,03 (+0,09 %) 21:57

Datum Aktuelle Nachrichten: Sprache: Medien
07.01. / 11:45 US-Analystenratings heute (Adobe, Compaq, Starbucks, Abgenix, Check Point ... US-Market (D)
07.01. / 11:45 Abgenix: Phase IIa für ABX-IL8 gescheitert US-Market (D)
07.01. / 10:51 Vorbörslicher Handel – Intel, AOL Time Warner, Adobe Systems, ... stock-world (D)
07.01. / 10:48 Abgenix "buy" Aktiencheck (D)
07.01. / 09:17 Abgenix: Kurs-Debakel bleibt aus wallstreet:online (D)
05.01. / 10:32 Abgenix Halts Arthritis Drug Development Los Angeles Times (USA)
04.01. / 18:45 US-Analystenratings heute (Adobe, Compaq, Starbucks, Abgenix, Check Point ... US-Market (D)
04.01. / 16:36 Abgenix "buy" Aktiencheck (D)
04.01. / 16:12 Abgenix beendet Studie mit Arthritis-Medikament finanzen.net (D)
04.01. / 15:42 Abgenix Tumbles After Abandoning Arthritis Drug The Street (USA)
04.01. / 14:45 Abgenix: Phase IIa für ABX-IL8 gescheitert US-Market (D)
04.01. / 14:21 Vorbörslicher Handel – Intel, AOL Time Warner, Adobe Systems, ... stock-world (D)
04.01. / 11:45 Nach Imclone nun Abgenix Instock (D)
04.01. / 11:21 Abgenix – versagt und abgestraft stock-world (D)
04.01. / 09:53 Schwerer Rückschlag für Abgenix wallstreet:online (D)
04.01. / 08:36 Abgenix stoppt weitere Erforschung BörseGo (D)
04.01. / 05:51 Abgenix muss erst einmal schlucken sharper.de (D)
04.01. / 00:24 Abgenix stock tumbles after arthritis drug disappoints CBSMarketWatch (USA)
03.01. / 14:21 Abgenix "Strong Buy" stock-world (D)
03.01. / 10:00 Abgenix testet Mittel gegen Krebs BörseGo (D)
03.01. / 09:05 Abgenix erweitert Testspektrum für wichtigen Kandidaten wallstreet:online (D)
02.01. / 23:21 Abgenix-Nachricht ist kein Durchbruch sharper.de (D)
28.12. / 16:24 Biotech Stocks: Abgenix, biotech stocks rise CBSMarketWatch (USA)
28.12. / 16:00 Abgenix startet Studie der Phase II finanzen.net (D)
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24 Nachrichten in den letzten 30 Tagen

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Erwartet werden -0,21 nach Börsenschluss!

Gruß Bogo!

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-0,18

FREMONT, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 29, 2002--Abgenix, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABGX) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2001.

For the year ended December 31, 2001, the company reported a net loss of $60.9 million or $0.71 per share, compared to a net loss of $8.8 million or $0.11 per share for the year ended December 31, 2000. Contract revenues for 2001 increased to $34.1 million from $26.6 million in 2000. Including interest income, total revenues for the year 2001 increased to $63.6 million from $59.4 million in 2000. These revenues did not include certain non-refundable payments received from corporate partners that were recorded as deferred revenue. Deferred revenue totaled $11.8 million as of December 31, 2001, up from $7.0 million at December 31, 2000.

Research and development expenses for 2001 increased to $96.2 million from $50.1 million in 2002 due to an increased level of clinical development of our existing product candidates, as well as increased research and development to validate new product candidates, supported by an increase in headcount from 174 to 327 employees.

Abgenix ended the year with approximately $558 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2001, the company reported a net loss of $15.8 million or $0.18 per share, compared to a net loss of $4.5 million or $0.05 per share in the same period of 2000. Contract revenues for the fourth quarter in 2001 were $17.5 million compared to $13.5 million in the same period of 2000. Including interest income, total revenues in the fourth quarter were $22.7 million versus $24.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2000.

"Our significant accomplishments in 2001 reflect our commitment to the development of Abgenix proprietary products," stated R. Scott Greer, chairman and chief executive officer of Abgenix. "In particular, we are very pleased with the progress of our clinical pipeline, including the initiation of a number of new trials for ABX-IL8 and ABX-EGF, and the introduction of two new antibodies derived from our technology, ABX-MA1, which Abgenix is developing, and a product candidate which Amgen is developing. We believe we are well-positioned to achieve our goal of becoming a prolific provider of biopharmaceutical candidates with our core product generation capability, our access to exciting and novel targets, our strong management team and a solid balance sheet."

Gruß Bogo!

[bogo01]

Lexicon Genetics Discovers Target for the Development of Drugs to Treat Heart Disease

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lexicon Genetics Incorporated (Nasdaq: LEXG) today announced that the Company has identified and validated in vivo a secreted protein from the human genome as a new target for the development of drugs to treat atherosclerosis, the progressive blockage of arteries that leads to most heart attacks. Lexicon scientists discovered that by knocking out this protein, named LG914, arteries remained clear when challenged in an atherosclerosis disease model in mice. Lexicon intends to develop drugs that inhibit LG914 as a potential new treatment for cardiovascular disease with the goal of reducing the risk of heart attack.

Lexicon researchers studied arteries of knockout mice lacking LG914 using a sophisticated microsurgical technique designed to mimic the process of coronary artery disease that occurs in humans. In the Lexicon study, normal control mice experienced significant arterial thickening and even complete arterial blockage, while those mice lacking LG914 demonstrated the remarkable finding of clear arteries with minimal change. Notably, inhibiting LG914 was not associated with any observable, undesirable side effects.

"Blocking LG914 makes mice resistant to cellular events associated with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease in humans. This striking finding demonstrates the power of our drug discovery programs to discover key switches that control physiology and disease," said Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Lexicon. "To date, we have announced two novel targets in our cardiology program, LG914 for atherosclerosis, and LG314 for high cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes and obesity. We are moving forward rapidly to develop novel therapeutics based on the discoveries of our new targets."

As part of an ongoing drug discovery collaboration, Lexicon and Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX) have agreed to develop antibodies generated by Abgenix`s XenoMouse(R) technology to block LG914 as a new potential treatment for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Inhibitors of LG914 might also be used to block restenosis, the occlusion of vessels after coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty. In addition, Lexicon and Abgenix have agreed to expand their antibody drug discovery alliance. As part of the expanded alliance, they intend to accelerate the use of in vivo information in mammals to select antigens for antibody development and commercialization with the goal of expediting the process of selecting new targets for antibody discovery and moving antibodies into the pre-clinical phase of both companies` drug discovery programs. Lexicon will also obtain access to Abgenix`s XenoMouse(R) technology for use in certain of Lexicon`s own drug discovery programs.

"Current cholesterol-lowering agents reduce cardiovascular mortality by about 35 percent, which means that at least 65 percent of patients could benefit from more effective therapies," said Hector BeltrandelRio, M.D., Ph.D., Lexicon`s Director of Cardiology. "We believe that the development of inhibitors of LG914 may provide new therapies for cardiovascular disease that could significantly reduce the risk of heart attack."

Major factors contributing to atherosclerosis include elevated cholesterol levels, cell proliferation in the vascular wall, and a cycle of inflammation that triggers arterial thickening and blockage formation. Current drugs have been able to lower cholesterol, but not treat cellular proliferation associated with inflammation, which is one of the reasons heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States.

LG914 was uncovered through the Company`s industrialized gene knockout program, in which mice lacking specific genes are associated with desirable medical profiles. The development of a drug to inhibit LG914 could provide new treatment options for people with heart disease and limit the need for patients to undergo invasive procedures such as angioplasty. More than 60 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, costing the U.S an estimated $299 billion in 2001, including health expenditures and lost productivity (American Heart Association and CDC).

Gruß Bogo!

[BonMala]

28.02.2002 ABGENIX INC. .. Prudential Secu..
Abgenix "buy" - Analysen/Ausland
Die Analysten vom Investmenthaus Prudential Securities stufen die Aktie von Abgenix (WKN 915298) unverändert mit "buy" ein und sehen das Kursziel bei 50 US-Dollar.

Das Unternehmen hätte mitgeteilt, rund 200 Millionen US-Dollar ihrer nachrangigen wandelbaren Schuldtitel mit Fälligkeit 2007 über eine Privatplatzierung verkaufen zu wollen. Die Erlöse wolle Abgenix für Forschung und Entwicklung, Investitionen sowie andere Unternehmenszwecke, darunter möglicherweise die Akquisition weiterer Geschäfte, Produkte, Produktrechte oder Technologien verwenden. Mit den Mitteln erreiche Abgenix zukünftig eine größere operative Flexibilität.

Zusammen mit dem Cashbestand von 556 Millionen US-Dollar zum Jahresende 2001 werde das Unternehmen nun über eine finanzielle Ausstattung von weit über 700 Millionen US-Dollar verfügen, mit der das klinische Programm ausgeweitet werden könne.

Der Gewinn je Aktie werde sowohl kurz- als auch langfristig nur einen minimalen Einfluss haben, den man nun in das Modell einbeziehe. Etwaige Kursschwächen sollten als Kaufgelegenheit betracht werden.

Vor diesem Hintergrund bleiben die Experten von Prudential Securities bei ihrer Empfehlung die Abgenix-Aktie zu kaufen.

[bogo01]

Weitere kurzfristige Kursbelastung:

Abgenix May Take Charge On ImmunoGen, CuraGen Holdings

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Abgenix Inc. (ABGX) said it may take an impairment charge as early as the end of its next fiscal quarter on the declining value of its investments in CuraGen Corp. (CRGN) and ImmunoGen Inc. (IMGN), according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Wednesday.
The company didn`t say how much the charge would amount to.

The biopharmaceutical company purchased $15 million of CuraGen stock in December 1999 at $17.90 a share, and another $50 million in CuraGen shares in December 2000 for $34.69 a share, the filing said. The company also bought $15 million of ImmunoGen stock in September 2000 for $19 a share.

Abgenix said in the filing that accounting rules require that if a decline in an available-for-sale security isn`t thought to be temporary, the value had to be written down. If the per-share price of CuraGen or ImmunoGen stock remains below the per-share price Abgenix paid, the company would expect to record a charge reflecting the difference, the filing said.

CuraGen shares traded Wednesday afternoon at $17.36, down 1.1%, while ImmunoGen shares changed hands at $11.59, down 4.7%.

Abgenix, of Fremont, Calif., develops and sells antibody therapeutic products. Its shares traded Wednesday $20.96, down 13% after announcing it planned a private placement of $200 million in notes.

Gruß Bogo!

[bogo01]

Ardais Corporation Announces Agreements With Abgenix, Aventis and CuraGen For Access to Clinical Genomics Resources

LEXINGTON, Mass., April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardais Corporation, a privately-held clinical genomics company, announced today that Abgenix, Inc., Aventis, CuraGen Corporation and numerous other leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies have licensed access to Ardais` BIGR(TM) Library and Suite of Bioinformatic Tools. Ardais` unique resources enable researchers to apply a portfolio of human tissue-based products and services for scientific research use, primarily in molecular profiling studies to identify and validate the clinical relevance of potential drug targets. Financial and other details were not disclosed.

"Access to specimens from patients who suffer from diseases of significant morbidity, mortality or poor quality of life is a key research element for the identification of novel therapies with improved clinical efficacy," stated Greg Landes, Ph.D., Vice President of Product Discovery at Abgenix, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of human therapeutic antibodies. "Furthermore, to utilize the clinical reagents to make informed decisions in the drug development process, the specimens must exhibit excellent consistency and high quality to enable critical development correlations to be made. We have been pleased with the quality of the oncological specimens in a variety of sample formats, including but not limited to tissue blocks, tissue microarrays and RNAs delivered to us by Ardais. We look forward to continuing to work with Ardais."

"This relationship with Ardais provides CuraGen scientists with high quality clinical specimens and RNA that enhance our drug target discovery and validation efforts," stated John Herrman, P.D., Head of Oncology Disease Discovery at CuraGen Corporation, a genomics-based pharmaceutical company. "The combination of CuraGen`s integrated genomic technologies, quality disease and normal human tissue samples, and disease expertise enables us to gain a more complete understanding of the novel targets we are advancing at CuraGen."

"We are very pleased that Ardais` quality-based approach is being recognized by leading therapeutic discovery organizations, who clearly see the importance of integrating analysis of actual human disease in the discovery and development processes," stated Alan Buckler, Ph.D., Ardais Chief Scientific Officer. "As Ardais broadens its clinical genomics capabilities and resources, we will further enhance our partners` abilities to establish the clinical relevance of their therapeutic targets." About Ardais and Clinical Genomics Resources

Clinical genomics is a multi-disciplinary approach to correlate molecular changes, including differences in patterns of gene expression, with the characteristics of actual human disease, to accelerate the discovery and validation of targets for development of new diagnostics and therapeutics. A growing number of scientific studies are being published in which human tissue has been directly analyzed to understand the molecular basis of disease.

The Ardais BIGR(TM) (Biomaterials and Information for Genomic Research) Library is a unique repository comprising tens of thousands of frozen tissue samples representing a broad diversity of disease, collected through the National Clinical Genomics Initiative. The Initiative, launched by Ardais in September 2000, now has grown to include collaborations with four leading medical centers. Through these collaborations, tissue samples are collected and processed according to strict protocols to maintain the molecular and histological integrity that is essential for genomics-based research. These samples are linked in the BIGR(TM) System with the highly structured, anonymized clinical information permitted by rigorous patient consent procedures.

Ardais` initial portfolio of clinical genomics resources includes formalin-fixed and frozen tissue samples and associated clinical information; standard or custom Tissue Microarrays for high throughput parallel analyses; and molecular derivatives, such as RNA, which are validated for research use through a battery of qualification procedures.

By using the Ardais BIGR(TM) Suite of Bioinformatic Tools from their desktops, researchers can review the Library based on diagnosis, tissue type, sample format, and pair-ability of samples that include both diseased and normal samples from the same patient; review details of a patient`s anonymized, highly structured clinical data and pathology verification data; assemble sets of annotated samples to fit with the intended study; and request these resources through a web-based interface.

Ardais Corporation, a privately-held clinical genomics company, is dedicated to enhancing and accelerating biomedical research by introducing actual human disease into the pharmaceutical discovery research process.

Gruß Bogo!

[BonMala]

http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-aktien/abgenix.a…

[lucardes]

danke

[BonMala]

Abgenix ist m.E. ein hochspekulativer Wert.
Tendenziell in starkem Abwärtstrend.

Parallel dazu Medarex.

Amex bio hat nach unten gedreht.
Da ist m.E. bei Abgenix und Medarex nix Positives zu holen.

Gibt es PUTs?

MfG

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Nachtrag vom 15. April:
FREMONT, CA, and LONDON, ON, Apr 15, 2002 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABGX), an antibody-based biopharmaceutical company, and Diabetogen Biosciences, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company, announced today the execution of a research collaboration, option and license agreement to discover and develop a fully human monoclonal antibody therapy against an undisclosed antigen for the treatment of autoimmune disease. This agreement represents a second collaboration between the companies and is independent of the prior agreement executed in March 2001.
Under the terms of the second collaboration, Abgenix will use its XenoMouse(TM) technology to generate fully human antibodies against the new antigen supplied by Diabetogen. Abgenix will receive an upfront research license fee, and could receive additional license and milestone payments, and royalties on any future product sales by Diabetogen. Diabetogen will be responsible for product development, manufacturing and commercialization of any product developed through the collaboration.

"Abgenix is excited to expand its relationship with Diabetogen," stated R. Scott Greer, President and CEO of Abgenix. "Diabetogen is the 12th collaborator to expand their access to our XenoMouse technology."

"Abgenix has proven to be a valued partner for Diabetogen," remarked William A. McGinnis, President and CEO of Diabetogen. "We look forward to this expanded relationship."

Autoimmune diseases are a broad category of clinical indications that include Type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, etc. These conditions are caused when the human body fails to recognize its own tissues and attacks them through the immune system. In general, patients suffering from autoimmune disease are diagnosed using antibodies and activated immune cells against the relevant human tissue or organ.

Gruß Bogo!

[BonMala]

Das Biotechunternehmen Abgenix berichtete nach Börsenschluss, den Verlust im Q1 von 7,6 Mio $ auf 56,5 Mio $ oder 65 Cents/Aktie ausgeweitet zu haben. Operativ wurde ein Verlust von 21,8 Mio $ oder 25 Cents/Aktie eingefahren, Analysten hatten mit 32 Cents/Aktie Verlust gerechnet. Nachbörslich konnten die Aktien zuletzt 5 Cents auf 15,25$ gewinnen.

© BörseGo

[BonMala]

An der Nasdaq vorbörslich mit 1,18% im Plus.

[BonMala]

und jetzt geht´s hurtig bergab.

[bogo01]

SAN ANTONIO & FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2002--ILEX(TM) Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ILXO) and Abgenix, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABGX) announced today a research collaboration to develop a fully human monoclonal antibody therapy against the antigen MUC1 for the treatment of cancer.

This collaboration is part of ILEX`s ongoing broad-based effort to further develop the core MUC1 patent rights and technology licensed exclusively to ILEX by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in July of last year.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Abgenix will use its XenoMouse(R) and XenoMax(TM) technologies to generate fully human antibodies against the MUC1 antigen supplied by ILEX. ILEX will have the right to obtain an exclusive product license to commercialize an antibody product to MUC1. Abgenix will receive an upfront research license fee, and could receive additional license and milestone payments and royalties on any future product sales by ILEX. ILEX will be responsible for product development, manufacturing and commercialization of any product developed through the collaboration. It is anticipated that this collaboration with Abgenix will accelerate the identification of therapeutic leads that target the MUC1 protein at the extra cellular level closest to the cell surface.

"ILEX believes that MUC1 is an important anticancer target, as it`s highly overexpressed on the surface of most cancer cells, including those of the lung, breast, prostate, pancreas, ovary and bowel," said Jeffrey H. Buchalter, President and CEO of ILEX.

"Abgenix is excited to join forces with ILEX`s researchers in exploiting an interesting cancer target," stated Raymond Withy, Ph.D., President and CEO of Abgenix. "Both ILEX and Abgenix share a commitment to developing new cancer therapeutics to improve the lives of patients who suffer from this serious disease."

Research has shown that MUC1 functions like a receptor and contributes to the development of tumors. Estimates indicate that of the 1.2 million tumors diagnosed in the U.S. each year, more than 700,000 overexpress the MUC1 protein, making it one of the most common abnormalities associated with human cancers.

About ILEX


Founded in 1994 as an oncology drug development company, ILEX is strategically positioned to become a product-driven, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company. ILEX has a marketed product, CAMPATH(R) in the United States and MABCAMPATH(TM) in the European Union, and is advancing an innovative and diversified pipeline of compounds focused on the treatment of cancer. The ILEX pipeline comprises product candidates at various stages of clinical development, including cytotoxic and cytostatic agents with novel mechanisms of action, monoclonal antibodies, angiogenesis inhibitors and signal transduction inhibitors. ILEX maintains a core competency in oncology drug development, with locations in San Antonio, Texas, and Guildford, England. ILEX also conducts research in angiogenesis inhibition, cell signaling, medicinal chemistry and nuclear receptor biology at its laboratories in Boston, Mass., and Geneva, Switzerland. Further information about ILEX can be found on the company`s web site at www.ilexonc.com.



NEW HAVEN, Conn. -(Dow Jones)- CuraGen Corp. (CRGN) and Abgenix Inc. (ABGX) scientists developed highly-specific, fully human monoclonal antibodies that precisely bind to PDGF D, a member of the Platelet-Derived Growth Factor family.
In a press release Thursday, CuraGen said the antibodies are specific to PDGF D and do not bind to other members of the PDGF family.

The company said PDGF D is a newly discovered growth factor that has proliferative activity on a variety of cells that express PDGF receptors.

CuraGen said it recently demonstrated that PDGF D is associated with several diseases in the areas of oncology and inflammation. Antagonism of PDGF D through the use of the antibodies is a potentially important method for treating unmet diseases in oncology and inflammation, it added.

In addition, CuraGen said PDGF D has been shown to be dysregulated in cancers and cause tumor formation when inappropriately expressed in an in vivo disease model. Abgenix has developed a test to show that a high percentage of cancer patients had elevated levels of PDGF D circulating in their sera. The test can help determine the optimum clinical patient population that should receive a therapeutic PDGF D monoclonal antibody drug.


Gruß Bogo!

[niemandweiss]

abgenix von plus 9,9% auf minus 1,9 % abgesackt

Tuesday May 14, 4:34 pm Eastern Time
Reuters Company News
Abgenix cuts revenue outlook as drug fails trial

NEW YORK, May 14 (Reuters) - Abgenix Inc. (NasdaqNM:ABGX - News) on Tuesday said it will drop development of a drug after it failed to prove effective in treating the skin disorder psoriasis.

The Fremont, California-based company said it will also cancel plans to develop the drug as a potential skin cancer treatment and will wind down an early stage trials of the drug in respiratory disease and bronchitis.

The company said discontinuing the drug means it will be less likely to receive revenue from commercial partnerships this year. Even so, the company said it maintains its outlook for a 2002 operating loss of between $105 million and $120 million.

The company said it expects to make up for lost revenue in savings from shutting down clinical trials of the drug, known as ABX-IL8. If that is not enough, the company said it will cut jobs.

[BonMala]

die gehen heute in USA noch senkrecht bergab.

[niemandweiss]

Um die Meinung der Amis abtasten zu können, guck ich in das Messages Board von Yhaoo der jeweiligen Aktie. Dort herrscht täglich reger Austausch. Und man trainiiert gleich sein Umgangsenglisch.

Was ABGX anbetrifft, fand ich folgenden Beitrag ganz treffend:


Re: AFTERHOURS versus longterm gains
by: chimerole
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/14/02 11:53 pm
Msg: 7865 of 7877

Lot of after hours, paranoid nonsense today.

Here`s what Abgx has going for it.

1. A confirmed target in cancer, EGFR, and a more potent and more safe antibody than its chief competitor, Imclone. Five phase 2 trials of Abx-egf are ongoing.

2. A phase 3 ongoing trial of Abx-cbl for graft versus host disease.

3. State of the art manufacturing facilities for its own antibodies and for contract antibody production. This is a sure money maker for Abgx.

4. A proven technology for making human antibodies to any target. Numerous partnerships are providing revenue to Abgx for use of this technology. Abgx is also developing its own candidate therapeutic antibodies in house. The preclinical pipeline is virtually unlimited, and some of the antibodies are sure to make it to the market eventually.

Bottomline: Get out of the abgx if you are a short-term trader. Buy abgx if you are willing to take some risk and potentially get a huge pay-off in 2-3 years.



Posted as a reply to: Msg 7859 by cschroeder13