GANYMED’s scientists have identified truly cancer specific cell surface targets and have designed highly effective antibodies against them. Because of their strict tumor-specificity, these ideal antibodies (iMABs) can be designed with maximum tumor-cell killing potential. This specificity contrasts with most current antibodies that have been designed with low cell killing potential, because the targets of these antibodies are also expressed in vital normal tissues.

The anti-tumor activity of GANYMED’s iMABs is mainly based on their ability to trigger powerful immune effector functions combined with a strong inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. In animal studies, iMABs demonstrated exceptional efficacy and safety.

Two different antibody projects directed at two specific antibody targets are currently in development:

• Claudiximab (iMAB362)
  Claudiximab (iMAB362) is an IgG1 iMAB directed against the GC182 target, a gastric differentiation protein that is expressed at the cell surface of 70% of gastric cancers, 50% of pancreatic cancers, 30% of esophageal cancers, and 25% of NSCLC. A multicenter first-in-man clinical Phase I study with GANYMED’s Claudiximab (iMAB362) antibody in patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or the lower esophagus has been successfully concluded in the second quarter of 2010 up a dose of 1g/sqm, without observing any serious related adverse events.
  For further information please see: www.clinicaltrials.gov
• GT512iMABs
  GT512 iMABs are directed against the cell surface target GT512, which is expressed in 70% of ovarian cancers and 50% of NSCL cancers. Several highly target specific 512iMABs are currently in preclinical development.
• GT468iMABs
  GT468iMABs are directed against the cell surface target GT468, expressed in 80% of breast cancers, 60% of NSCL cancers, and 20% of ovarian cancers. Several highly target specific iMAB are currently in preclinical development.

GANYMED has three other projects with cancer specific targets at different stages under validation for antibody development. These targets are expressed with significant prevalence in solid cancers with high unmet medical need including melanomas, prostate cancers, lung cancers, breast cancers, colorectal cancers, and head & neck cancers.