NovImmune announced today that Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, has initiated a First-in-Human study with anti-IL-17, a fully human monoclonal antibody designed to specifically and selectively bind to the human IL-17 family of cytokines.
The anti-IL-17 antibody was generated at NovImmune and licensed to Genentech in July 2010. The initiation of the Phase I clinical trial triggers a milestone payment of an undisclosed amount from Genentech to NovImmune.
NovImmune CEO Jack Barbut commented: “With the compound entering man, NovImmune is gratified to see Genentech’s continued commitment to the anti-IL-17 program. This news creates an additional milestone as this is the fifth NovImmune therapeutic antibody to enter clinical development – a significant achievement for a small biotech company.”
About NovImmune
The biotech company Novimmune develops therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of inflammatory and immunological diseases. Founded in 1998 as a spin-off from the University of Geneva, NovImmune is now one of the big hopes of the Swiss biotech scene. So far, financiers, venture capitalists and banks have invested about CHF150 million in the Geneva-based company, with probably the biggest investment incurred by Martin Ebner’s BZ Bank Aktiengesellschaft.
Please login or sign up to comment.
Commenting guidelines