Still no joy from CD18

The failure of Genentech Inc.'s Phase II trial of its rhuMAb-CD18 recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody fragment to treat acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may not come as a surprise, as several companies have dropped products directed against the CD18 antigen.

Both Protein Design Labs Inc. (PDLI, Fremont, Calif.) and Centocor Inc. (Malvern, Penn.) several years ago decided against developing their anti-CD18 antibodies, while Icos Corp. (ICOS, Bothell, Wash.) has seen its LeukArrest (Hu23F2G) MAb against CD11 and CD18 fail in multiple indications, including AMI...