Joining the CD19 race

CD20 has proved to be a great target, but not a panacea, for B cell cancers and inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Medarex Inc. is among a growing group of companies that think CD19 has the potential to be additive or even better. Last week, MEDX announced it is starting two Phase I trials of its anti-CD19 human MAb, MDX-1342.

CD20 is a B cell-specific membrane protein expressed from the pre-B cell stage through the memory B cell stage. The anti-CD20 MAb Rituxan rituximab is marketed to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), multiple sclerosis (MS), and RA. It is also being tested in lupus, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). ...