GTC Biotherapeutics (fka GTCB)

[mblimon]

Recalling GTCB's press release in May 2004 on the collaboration with Centocor, I still think that we have a strong candidate here for a future clinical program using GTCB's technology. We do not know whether Centocor has been doing further pre-clinical work on the material delivered by GTCB, but I would expect it has.


GTC BIOTHERAPEUTICS COMPLETES MILESTONES IN CENTOCOR PROGRAM

FRAMINGHAM, MA - May 26, 2004 -- GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. ("GTC", Nasdaq: GTCB) announced today that it has completed a series of milestones in the program with Centocor, Inc. (Centocor) for the development of an undisclosed antibody. As a result of completing these milestones, GTC has developed a high-expressing transgenic system that produces the protein at levels which exceed the predefined goals of the contract. GTC is now producing bulk protein for Centocor and compensation under the contract will now be based primarily on delivery of this material. Centocor plans to manufacture finished product from this material. Based on the current project plans, Centocor will begin a series of preclinical evaluations up through toxicology of the undisclosed protein.

"GTC is pleased to have worked with Centocor in this program from the early molecular biology stages through demonstrating expression and establishment of the production system," stated Geoffrey F. Cox, Ph.D., GTC's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to supporting their production needs in their preclinical and future clinical studies."

http://www.transgenics.com/pressreleases/pr052604.html

Also the observations made on this and other external collaborations in the 2005 annual report, makes me think that the approval of ATRYN will lead to the continuation of several of the collaborations.

"We have also successfully demonstrated transgenic production of other compounds with multiple external partners, including two MAb programs with Centocor, one of which was a transgenically produced form of Remicade®, two MAb programs with
Elan Pharmaceuticals that included one for Tysabri®, two MAb programs with Abbott that included one for Humira®, and two
MAb programs with Bristol Myers Squibb. These programs did not move forward into commercial production because we had not yet obtained regulatory approval for our transgenic technology by the time our partners had to make decisions for clinical or commercial production of their compounds."

Source: annual report 2005