Oncology

It is over ten years since the first monoclonal antibody drug to treat cancer was launched onto the market. Since then sales of antibody-based cancer drugs have grown rapidly, with the top four achieving combined revenues in excess of US $14 billion in 2007.

One proven approach to treating cancers is by preventing the development of new blood vessels which solid tumours need in order to grow and metastasise. TB-403, an antibody that targets Placenta Growth Factor (PlGF), is being developed as a novel inhibitor of blood vessel development (angiogenesis). As PIGF is involved in abnormal but not physiological angiogenesis, the drug should have a reduced number of side effects compared to current anti-angiogenic treatments. This programme was partnered with Roche in 2008. The Company has reported the completion of two successful Phase I studies of TB-403. An additional clinical study in ovarian and colorectal cancers was initiated in May 2010 by Roche. It has the potential to be an important alternative treatment for multiple solid tumours as well as other indications. Annual world-wide sales of the leading angiogenesis inhibitor exceeded US $4 billion in 2008.

We have used our proprietary selection technology to identify several antibodies that can selectively recognise cancer cells and trigger their death through a process called apoptosis. This search also identified a number of novel targets for causing cancer cell apoptosis (for more information see Science section). One of these antibodies has now entered clinical development. BI-505 is being developed initially as a treatment for multiple myeloma.

The market for the treatment of multiple myeloma is significant: sales of two recently launched drugs totalled US $2 billion in 2007. Annual sales of the leading lymphoma treatment are around US $4 billion.