MARTINSRIED/MUNICH, Germany and BOSTON, Nov. 26, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- GPC Biotech AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange:GPC) announced the signing of a development and manufacturing agreement with ICOS Corporation (Nasdaq:ICOS), Bothell, WA (USA) for GPC Biotech's anti-MHC class II antibodies. The agreement also includes a non-exclusive license to ICOS' proprietary mammalian cell expression technology. ICOS will conduct development, scale-up and GMP manufacturing in its cell culture manufacturing facility in Bothell, WA (USA). GPC Biotech will retain all rights to develop and commercialize the product. Large-scale production is one of the rate-limiting steps in antibody development, which makes this manufacturing agreement critical to GPC Biotech's continuing progress in bringing its antibody programs into the clinic. Financial terms were not disclosed.
GPC Biotech has two antibody programs with a novel mechanism-of-action that are specific to MHC class II receptors. The fully human antibodies were both generated by MorphoSys from its HUCAL(r) libraries. GPC Biotech's oncology antibody program to treat MHC class II positive B-cell lymphomas is based on the finding that these antibodies specifically kill human lymphoma/leukemia cells, leaving normal resting cells unaffected. The induction of cell death, which occurs rapidly upon binding of the antibody, does not require any additional immune system effector mechanisms. This is a potentially significant advantage compared to most other antibodies targeting B-cell lymphomas. The antibody developed in GPC Biotech's immunology program binds to MHC class II molecules and thereby prevents the initiation of undesired immune reactions, such as transplant rejection, rather than suppressing already existing immune reactions. For antibodies of both programs in vivo efficacy was announced in July of 2001.
GPC Biotech AG is a genomics- and proteomics-driven drug discovery and development company focused on applying a number of proprietary genomic, proteomic and drug discovery technologies to accelerate the identification and validation of novel drug targets for development of mechanism-based drugs in oncology, infectious diseases and immunology. GPC Biotech has leading cell cycle expertise and a broad intellectual property position. Drug discovery alliance partners include: Aventis Pharma (PAVE.PSE), Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, the Altana AG (ALT.FSE) pharmaceuticals group Byk Gulden, Cell Genesys, Inc. (CEGE.NAS), MorphoSys AG (MOR.FSE) and Karo Bio USA (KARO.SSE). GPC Biotech AG is headquartered in Martinsried/Munich (Germany) with two wholly owned US subsidiaries in Waltham/Boston, MA and in Princeton, NJ. For further information, please visit the corporate website at: http://www.gpc-biotech.com.
The economic projections and forward-looking statements contained in this document relate to future facts. Such projections and forward-looking statements are subject to risks which cannot be foreseen and which are beyond the control of GPC Biotech AG. GPC Biotech AG is therefore not in a position to make any representation as to the accuracy of economic projections and forward-looking statements or their impact on the financial situation of GPC Biotech AG or the market in the shares of GPC Biotech AG.
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