Abbott Research Demonstrates Viability Of Combining Antibody Functions To Target Two Or More Disease Causing Processes

Abbott (NYSE: ABT)
scientists presented pre-clinical data at the American College of
Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting demonstrating that a single
molecule with two antibody functions target two disease-causing agents implicated in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, IL-1Alpha and IL-1Beta. The poster presentation,
entitled "Anti- IL-1Alpha/Beta Dual Variable Domain Immunoglobulin
(DVD-Ig(TM)), a Novel Inhibitor of IL-1Alpha and IL-1Beta is Efficacious in
Mouse Collagen-Induced Arthritis Model" was presented at the Cytokines,
Mediators and Gene Regulation poster sessions during the meeting.



The study builds upon research published in the November 2007 issue of
Nature Biotechnology. In that paper, Abbott scientists were the first to
report the discovery of a proprietary technology that combines the function
and specificity of two or more monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) into one
molecular entity that demonstrates drug-like properties and manufacturing
feasibility. These molecules, called DVD-Ig, may allow for development of
individual drug candidates that target multiple disease-causing agents in a
variety of therapeutic categories.



Study results reported today show that therapeutic effect with the
DVD-Ig molecule resulted in a profound inhibition of arthritis in mice as
assessed by MAS (p