Affitech-Identified Fully Human Anti-VEGF Antibody Candidate is As Effective As Avastin(R) in Preclinical Cancer Models

Affitech AS, the human antibody therapeutics company announced today that its partner, Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, has reported that its anti-VEGF antibody R84, an antibody identified by Affitech, selectively blocks the interaction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2); and is as effective as Avastin® (bevacizumab) in inhibiting growth of established tumors in a preclinical breast cancer model. Results were presented at IBC’s 5th Annual International Anti-Angiogenesis Conference in Boston on November 12, 2007.

R84 selectively blocks VEGF binding only to VEGFR2, the receptor primarily responsible for tumor angiogenesis, unlike Avastin® and other drugs in development that block VEGF binding to both VEGFR2 and VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1). Selective blocking of VEGF binding to VEGFR2 may ultimately offer safety or efficacy benefits over non-selective approaches. Additional preclinical studies are planned to evaluate R84 as a potential clinical candidate based on its anti-tumor activity. This marks an important accomplishment by Affitech in its collaboration with Peregrine and a major validation of the company’s antibody discovery and development technologies.

“We are delighted with the in vivo results and Peregrine’s decision to evaluate R84 as a candidate for further preclinical studies and potential clinical development,” commented Martin Welschof, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Affitech. “The studies demonstrated that the selective blocking of VEGF binding to VEGFR2 is as effective as Avastin® in preclinical models. R84 is one of several fully human antibodies we have been able to successfully discover for Peregrine and other collaborators using our proprietary antibody library and screening technologies, such as AffiscreeN™ and CBAS™ (Cell Based Antibody Screening). We are also at the preclinical stage of development of our own pipeline candidates, which were generated by the CBAS™ system, and we anticipate similar success.”

Peregrine, in association with Affitech, has now filed a patent application for R84 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to preserve the right to obtain patent protection in the United States, all member countries of the European Union, and the rest of the world.