Organon, the human health care business unit of Akzo Nobel, and Medarex, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEDX) today announced that they have entered into a collaborative agreement to develop and potentially commercialize fully human antibody therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and auto-immune disorders, utilizing Medarex’s UltiMAb Human Antibody Development System(R) and Organon’s expertise in drug discovery and development.

OSS, the Netherlands and PRINCETON, NJ, USA | May 16, 2007 | Organon, the human health care business unit of Akzo Nobel, and Medarex, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEDX) today announced that they have entered into a collaborative agreement to develop and potentially commercialize fully human antibody therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and auto-immune disorders, utilizing Medarex’s UltiMAb Human Antibody Development System(R) and Organon’s expertise in drug discovery and development.

Under the terms of the agreement, Organon and Medarex plan to share development and commercialization responsibilities on any antibody-based therapeutics resulting from this collaboration, and to share revenues generated from the sale of such therapeutic products. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“We are pleased with the opportunity to expand our relationship through this new partnership with Organon, and we look forward to working collaboratively with them on the development of potential new cancer and auto-immune biotherapeutics,” said Irwin Lerner, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Interim President and CEO of Medarex.

“We have recently increased our efforts in Cambridge, Massachussetts, to identify novel biologicals which will be effective treatments for auto-immune and oncological disorders, this additional collaboration with Medarex represents a further step towards becoming a very effective biological drug hunting company,” said David Nicholson, executive vice president R&D at Organon.

About Organon
Organon creates, manufactures and markets innovative prescription medicines that improve the health and quality of human life. Through a combination of innovation and business partnerships, Organon seeks to leverage its position as a leading biopharmaceutical company in each of its core therapeutic fields: fertility, gynecology and selected areas of anesthesia. It has extensive expertise in neuroscience and a rich and focused R&D program. Research areas also include immunology and specific areas of oncology. Organon products are distributed in over 100 countries worldwide, of which more than 50 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human healthcare business unit of Akzo Nobel.

SOURCE: Organon