Seattle Genetics Snags Genmab Deal

Seattle Genetics, the developer of targeted antibody drugs, said today it has provided a license to Denmark-based Genmab to develop “empowered antibodies” against a target called Tissue Factor antigen found on numerous solid tumors. Seattle Genetics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SGEN]]) is getting an undisclosed upfront fee, and retains an option to co-develop any drugs it wants on a 50-50 basis with Genmab after the first stage of clinical trials is complete. The Seattle Genetics technology is designed to link antibodies, which can home in on specific targets on cells, with toxins that can make them more potent.

Author: Luke Timmerman

Luke is an award-winning journalist specializing in life sciences. He has served as national biotechnology editor for Xconomy and national biotechnology reporter for Bloomberg News. Luke got started covering life sciences at The Seattle Times, where he was the lead reporter on an investigation of doctors who leaked confidential information about clinical trials to investors. The story won the Scripps Howard National Journalism Award and several other national prizes. Luke holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and during the 2005-2006 academic year, he was a Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT.