Debating antigen quantity vs. quality

At first glance, Oxford GlycoSciences plc seems to be producing only a modest number of antigens for Medarex Inc. in the companies' deal last week to develop human antibodies using MEDX's HuMab-mouse technology.

Oxford GlycoSciences (LSE:OGS) currently has five breast cancer antibody targets for MEDX and plans to supply up to 30 in other disease areas over the next three years. By contrast, CuraGen Corp. (CRGN) has supplied Abgenix Inc. (ABGX, Fremont, Calif.) with 24 antibody targets, and plans to supply up to 120 over the next three years (see BioCentury, Sept. 5)...