Genmab A/S announced today that ofatumumab appeared more effective at inducing complement dependent cytotoxicity than rituximab in a pre-clinical study

COPENHAGEN, Denmark | September 7, 2007 | – Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced today that ofatumumab (HuMax-CD20(R)) appeared more effective at inducing complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), an immune system killing mechanism, than rituximab in a pre-clinical study. The CD20 antibodies were incubated with tumor cells and analyzed using Spinning Disk Confocal Fluorescent Microscopy. This technology allows imaging of the effects on target cells induced by therapeutic antibodies in real time. Both antibodies were found to activate CDC and induced profound changes in both shape and appearance of target cells.

Direct comparisons of ofatumumab and rituximab revealed ofatumumab to induce much more rapid and profound CDC and far more impressive cell changes than rituximab. This, furthermore, lead to more effective killing of target cells by ofatumumab.

“This study supports the growing body of pre-clinical research that suggests ofatumumab may be more effective in eliminating target cells and treating diseases such as lymphoid cancers and rheumatoid arthritis than existing therapies,” said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.

These pre-clinical data will be presented in an oral presentation at the XIth European Meeting on Complement in Human Disease, in Cardiff, United Kingdom on September 9, 2007.

SOURCE: GENMAB