Genmab Holding buys iDD Biotech’s pre-clinical stage antibodies and related patents

These antibodies are directed to DR5, also called as Trail Receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2), an emerging cancer target.

As part of the deal, Genmab will pay iDD Biotech an upfront fee of €2.5m and future payments range from a minimum of €3.5m to €101.5m in development and sales milestones and single-digit royalties on commercialized products.

The acquisition of antibody assets is synergistic with Genmab’s plan to create a broad pipeline of differentiated therapeutic products and to use its antibody expertise to create leapfrog drugs.

Genmab chief executive officer Jan van de Winkel said: "We are pleased to add this exciting target and these unique DR5 antibodies to our expanding list of pre-clinical assets.

"This move provides Genmab with another opportunity to create potential next-generation antibody drugs which could lead to new ways of treating cancer."

Genmab specializes in the creation and development of differentiated human antibody therapeutics to treat cancer.

The Danish firm’s technology base includes validated and proprietary next generation antibody technologies, the DuoBody platform for generation of bispecific antibodies, and the HexaBody platform which creates effector function enhanced antibodies.