LONDON (Alliance News) - Life sciences company Abzena PLC said Monday that it is "encouraged" by its progress with products created using its technology, including antibodies that were created with its composite human antibody technology.
Abzena said that six antibodies created using the composite human antibody technology are currently in phase one or two clinical development. The company does not incur costs from the development of the antibodies as they are funded by its partners, and it can potentially earn royalties on sales revenues from the products if they are successful.
One of the antibodies GS-5745 that is in development with Gilead Sciences Inc has been moved forward to clinical development for ulcerative colitis and gastric cancer in 2015, and phase two studies are planned in Crohn's disease.
Another antibody simtuzumab did not show efficacy in phase two studies of myelofibrosis or colorectal cancer, although it was well tolerated. Gilead has confidence that results from ongoing phase two studies of simtuzumab in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis will be different.
Opsona Therapeutics Ltd has begun a second clinical study with OPN-305 in myelodysplastic syndrome. This antibody is already being evaluated in a phase two study for its potential to prevent delayed graft function following renal transplantation.
Adheron Therapeutics Inc is conducting a series of preclinical studies for a number of indications for antibody SDP051.
"We are encouraged by the clinical progress we are seeing with products enabled by Abzena's technology platforms. Our portfolio of licences and licence option agreements for Composite Human Antibodies and for the other Abzena technologies has the potential to contribute significant value to the Abzena business," said Chief Executive Officer John Burt in a statement.
Shares in Abzena are trading up 1.0% at 81.80 pence Monday morning.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; hanassmith@alliancenews.com; @HanaSSAllNews
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