Human Genome Sciences announces agreement with GSK for development of drug to treat diabetes

Oct 26 2004

Human Genome Sciences today announced an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline under which GlaxoSmithKline has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Albugon (albumin-glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1), a drug currently in late-stage preclinical development by Human Genome Sciences for potential use in the treatment of diabetes.

Under the agreement, which is subject to expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, GlaxoSmithKline has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to Albugon for all human therapeutic and prophylactic applications. Human Genome Sciences will receive an upfront fee and clinical development and commercial milestone payments that could amount to as much as $183 million, and additional milestones for other indications developed. Human Genome Sciences will also receive royalties on the annual net sales of any products developed and commercialized under the agreement. Human Genome Sciences will be responsible for the manufacture of Albugon for Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials.

Albugon was created using Human Genome Sciences' proprietary albumin fusion technology, which involves fusing the gene that expresses human albumin to the gene that expresses a therapeutically active protein. Research has shown that the fusion of therapeutic proteins to human albumin decreases clearance and prolongs half-life. Albugon results from the genetic fusion of human albumin and GLP-1.

GLP-1 is a peptide hormone that acts throughout the body to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and to control appetite. In healthy individuals, GLP-1 levels rise during a meal to help the body utilize and control the elevation in blood sugar levels, but this response is blunted in Type 2 diabetics. GLP-1 also contributes to the health and survival of the insulin- producing cells in the body. The primary obstacle to the use of GLP-1 as a therapeutic for diabetes is its extremely short half-life of about five minutes in the body. Preclinical studies show that Albugon retains the anti- diabetic and other beneficial activities of GLP-1, but with a substantially prolonged half-life.

Craig A. Rosen, Ph.D., President and Chief Operating Officer, Human Genome Sciences, said, "We believe that Albugon has the potential to become an important therapeutic option for the treatment of diabetes. GlaxoSmithKline is a world leader in pharmaceutical research, development and marketing, with a rapidly growing worldwide franchise in diabetes therapy and vast experience in global development and commercialization. We are confident that the agreement announced today with GlaxoSmithKline will facilitate the clinical development and eventual commercialization of Albugon."