Genentech teams with Glycart on antibody program

Genentech is teaming up with Roche and its subsidiary GlycArt to develop GlycArt's GA101 molecule, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody being developed as a treatment for hematological malignancies and other oncology related B-cell disorders like non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The therapy is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials for CD-20 positive B-cell malignancies, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and lymphocytic leukemia.

Genentech, Roche and GlycArt will share development costs and Genentech says it will record $105 million in R&D during the third quarter. Genentech gains U.S. commercialization rights in the deal.

"With its unique mode of action, we believe GA101 has the potential to extend the therapeutic benefit over current standards of care, including treatment for patients who do not respond to current therapies," says Pablo Umaña, CSO and co-founder of GlycArt.

- check out the Genentech release

ALSO: Eli Lilly is paying an unspecified upfront fee for the licensing rights to the cancer products it develops in collaboration with Deciphera. Researchers for the two companies will work together on four different areas using Deciphera's selective or multi-kinase targeted B-Raf inhibitors. Deciphera can earn up to $130 million in a range of sales, regulatory and development milestones. Eli Lilly release

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