Menarini and Goodwin Biotechnology announce Abagovomab success

Menarini and Goodwin Biotechnology have revealed the successful completion of a cooperative manufacturing effort for the Abagovomab monoclonal antibody.

Florence, Italy-based Menarini and US firm Goodwin Biotechnology have been working together to develop an ovarian cancer vaccine derived from the antibody.

And the companies announced that the vaccine is now undergoing phase III clinical trials in locations around the world.

Managing director of Menarini Biotech Andrew Slade said: "We oversaw the production of the active principle – the two companies have worked hand in hand to achieve this outstanding result.

"We now hope Abagovomab will help the over 200,000 women attacked by ovarian cancer every year in the world."

The antibody is to feature in a new international programme of trials to determine if it may be effective in preventing tumours following platinum and taxane chemotherapy.

Menarini states that Abagovomab elicits an immune response in 70 per cent of patients, increasing average survival time from 4.9 to 23.4 months.