Genentech Inc, GlycArt and Roche execute collaboration agreement for potential cancer therapy

Oct 03, 2008 (M2 EQUITYBITES via COMTEX) -- DNA | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Genentech Inc (NYSE:DNA), a biotechnology company, declared on 3 October that the company has signed an agreement with GlycArt and Roche (SWX:ROG) for the joint development and commercialisation of GlycArt's GA101 molecule for potential cancer therapy. Additionally, the alliance includes a licence from GlycArt to Genentech.

The companies will develop GA101, a humanised anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody engineered to increase both direct- and immune-mediated target cell death, for the potential treatment of haematological malignancies and other oncology-related B-cell disorders such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The alliance will share certain development costs with respect to the collaboration. Genentech will record USD105m in research and development expenses in its third quarter 2008 results and will receive commercialisation rights in the United States .

GA101 is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials for CD20-positive B-cell malignancies, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

In conjunction, GlycArt and Roche plan to release an update on Phase I data for GA101 at the American Society of Haematology meeting in December 2008.

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