CD20 Antibodies

Summary

The present Competitive Intelligence Report about anti-CD20 antibodies used to treat B-cell mediated malignancies and rheumatoid arthritis provides a competitor evaluation in the field of R&D projects with anti-CD20 antibodies as of January 2009.

The chimeric anti-CD20 antibody rituximab (Rituxan & MabThera) from Biogen Idec and Genentech/Roche is one of the world's commercially most successful antibodies (2007 sales of over US$ 5 bln). Rituximab was first approved in 1997 by the FDA for treatment of B-cell malignancies and in 2006 for 3rd line therapy of rheumatoid arthritis. Genentech, Roche and Biogen Idec have stepwise expanded the indication label of rituximab and are still clinically evaluating new autoimmune indications such as lupus nephritis, multiple sclerosis and vasculitis.

The commercial attractiveness of rituximab has stimulated many companies to create and develop next generation anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mabs) with improved properties compared with the chimeric antibody rituximab. At present, at least nine different anti-CD20 antibodies are in clinical development by competitors of rituximab and by Genentech & Roche themselves (to defend the rituximab market). At least further seven molecules are in preclinical development or pre-IND stage.

Improved anti-CD20 antibodies aim at reducing immunogenicity and the related side effects (infusion and anaphylactic reactions) by fully human or humanized antibodies. Other approaches target at increasing efficacy by binding to different epitopes on the B cell or increasing binding of the mab to the receptor or lowering the off-rate of the mab which results in prolonged presence on the B cell. Furthermore, effector functions are tried to be increased via antigen-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) or increased recruitment of T cells and accessory cells.

Development of subcutaneous instead of the currently used intravenous formulations of the mab may increase convenience of antibody administration. Other engineered anti-CD20 antibodies have reduced CDC to avoid infusion reactions, or are of small size to allow better tissue penetration. One of the next generation anti-CD20 molecules is being developed as a genotype-stratified, tailored therapy, thereby improving outcomes of the therapy by this personalized medicine approach.

The report includes a compilation of marketed products and current active projects in research and development of anti-CD20 antibodies. In addition, the report lists company-specific R&D pipelines of anti-CD20 antibodies. Competitor projects are listed in a tabular format providing information on:

• Drug Codes,
• Target / Mechanism of Action,
• Class of Compound,
• Company,
• Product Category/Therapeutic Area,
• Indication,
• R&D Stage and
• additional comments with a hyperlink leading to the source of information.

Contents

• Index
  • CD20 Antibodies in Oncology
  • CD20 Antibodies in Inflammation
  • CD20 Antibodies in Neurology
  • CD20 Antibodies in Hematology
  • Corporate CD20 Antibody R&D Pipelines and Product Portfolios
  • About La Merie
• Corporate CD20 Antibody R&D Pipelines and Product Portfolios
  • Bayer Schering Pharma
  • Biocon
  • Biogen Idec
  • BioLex
  • Cell Therapeutics
  • Dr. Reddy's
  • Eli Lilly
  • Favrille
  • Fresenius Biotech
  • Genentech & Roche
  • Genmab
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • GTC Biotherapeutics
  • Immunomedics
  • InNexus Biotechnology
  • LFB Biotechnologies
  • MacroGenics
  • Nanogen Biopharmaceuticals
  • Nycomed
  • Spectrum Pharmaceuticals
  • TRION Pharma
  • Trubion Pharmaceuticals
  • Wyeth