Our Company Human Genome Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company with a pipeline of novel compounds in clinical development, including drugs to treat such diseases as hepatitis C, lupus, anthrax disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and HIV/AIDS. Additional products are in clinical development by our partners. Our mission is to discover, develop, manufacture and market innovative drugs that serve patients with unmet medical needs, with a primary focus on protein and antibody products.
We focus our internal research and development efforts on novel protein and antibody drugs and on new long-acting versions of existing drugs by coupling then with our albumin fusion technology. We rely on collaborations for the development of other products discovered using our genomics-based technology, including additional protein and antibody drugs, gene therapy products, small molecule drugs and diagnostic products.
We have recently completed construction of a large-scale manufacturing facility to support our increasing needs for protein and antibody drug production related to the continuing progress of our product candidates and, eventually, the initial commercialization of our products.
Our People Human Genome Sciences’ success is directly attributable to their drive, talent, and extraordinary dedication of our staff. The work we do is challenging and our standards are high. Our philosophy is to provide employees with excellent rewards and benefits, significant opportunities to develop professionally, a first-class work environment and the resources they need to do their jobs well.
As an employer in the competitive biotechnology industry, we appreciate that skilled professionals have many options when choosing where to work. Our management team works to ensure that we remain an employer of choice. We seek qualified candidates who have a passion for their work and who share our values of excellence, hard work, creativity, flexibility and bold decision-making. We attract and retain these professionals with cash compensation, stock options and benefits packages competitive to the marketplace. We keep these programs competitive and ensure they meet the needs of our employees and their families. We also offer strong professional development programs and opportunities.
Our people place a high value on personal and professional development. We encourage our employees to realize their full potential by providing them with tuition reimbursement and the opportunity to attend professional conferences, and by sponsoring skill-building seminars. As we have grown, so too have opportunities for advancement of our employees. There are numerous success stories of employees who have progressed from individual contributors to managers and those who have transferred from one department to another, enhancing their skills sets and value to HGS.
We also embrace a work-life philosophy designed to help our people balance the many demands of their busy lives. Committed to supporting employees both professionally and personally, we sponsor skill-building seminars and personal development programs to help employees achieve their full potential. Each year since 2003, the Company has received the Maryland Work-Life Alliance's 'Workplace Excellence' Seal of Approval. The 'Workplace Excellence' Seal of Approval recognizes visionary employers who view work and life balance as a strategic business imperative. Programs that help employees balance their work life with their personal life include consultations for individuals on work-life issues, support groups for working parents, and lunch seminars on communication and self-management.
We continue to strive to take good care of our employees. All of our employees have ownership in the company via stock option grants and an employee stock purchase plan. We thank our employees for making Human Genome Sciences the company it is today and will become tomorrow.
Our Products Our clinical development pipeline includes drugs to treat such diseases as lupus, hepatitis C, anthrax disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and HIV/AIDS. Our partners are conducting clinical trials of additional drugs to treat cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
AlbuferonTM (albumin-interferon alpha 2b), a novel long-acting form of interferon alpha for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) Albuferon is a novel long-acting form of interferon alpha. Recombinant interferon alpha is approved for the treatment of hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and a broad range of cancers. The results to date of Phase 2 trials of Albuferon in chronic hepatitis C are strongly supportive of an ongoing Phase 2b comparative trial of Albuferon in combination with ribavirin in treatment-naïve patients. By year-end 2006, we plan to advance Albuferon into Phase 3 development for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, assuming that data emerging from the Phase 2b study in the first half are positive.
LymphoStat-BTM (belimumab), a human monoclonal antibody that neutralizes BLySTM (B-lymphocyte stimulator) The FDA has selected LymphoStat-B for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for inclusion in its Continuous Marketing Application Pilot 2 Program and has designated it a Fast Track Product. In July 2005, GlaxoSmithKline exercised its option to develop and commercialize LymphoStat-B jointly with Human Genome Sciences. We have completed Phase 2 clinical trials of LymphoStat-B in SLE and rheumatoid arthritis. We plan to advance LymphoStat-B to Phase 3 development for SLE in 2006.
ABthraxTM (raxibacumab), a human monoclonal antibody to Bacillus anthracis protective antigen, for use in treating anthrax disease ABthrax has received a Fast Track product designation from the FDA for the treatment of anthrax disease. In October of 2005, we announced that HGS was awarded a two-phase contract to supply ABthrax to the U.S. Government. Under the first phase of the contract, we have supplied ABthrax to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for comparative laboratory testing. Under the second phase, the U. S. Government has the option to place an order within one year to purchase ABthrax for the Strategic National Stockpile for use in the treatment of anthrax disease. In 2006, we will work toward securing an order from the U.S. Government under the second phase of the contract to supply ABthrax for the Strategic National Stockpile. The company will also pursue additional opportunities to supply ABthrax.
CCR5 mAb, a human monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes and binds the CCR5 receptor and prevents the entry of the HIV-1 virus into the cell, for use in the treatment of HIV/AIDS In March 2005, HGS announced the initiation of dosing of patients in a Phase 1 trial of CCR5 mAb in patients infected with the HIV-1 virus who are not receiving concurrent antiretroviral therapy. HGS expects to complete the Phase 1 trial in the first half of 2006, and will then determine the development pathway for CCR5 mAb based on Phase 1 results.
HGS-ETR1 (mapatumumab), a human monoclonal antibody to TRAIL receptor 1 for use in treating hematopoietic and solid tumors. In August 2005, GSK exercised its option under a June 1996 agreement to develop and commercialize HGS-ETR1 jointly with Human Genome Sciences. During 2005, we completed and reported the results of Phase 2 trials of HGS-ETR1 as monotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, advanced colorectal cancer, and advanced non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The results of these Phase 2 trials support additional Phase 2 study of HGS-ETR1 in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. We plan to initiate Phase 2 development of HGS-ETR1 in combination with chemotherapy in hematopoietic cancers in 2006.
HGS-ETR2 and HGS-TR2J, human monoclonal antibodies to TRAIL receptor 2, for use as treatments for advanced cancers We completed two Phase 1 trials of HGS-ETR2 in advanced solid tumors and reported the results in November 2005. The results of the two studies demonstrated that HGS-ETR2 is well tolerated at doses as high as 10-mg/kg in patients with advanced solid tumors. In each study for which data were presented, stable disease was observed in a number of patients. The results warrant additional study of HGS-ETR2 in Phase 2 trials to evaluate its potential for use in the treatment of specific cancers. A Phase 1 trial of HGS-TR2J, a human monoclonal antibody to TRAIL receptor 2, continues to enroll patients in Canada. HGS plans to reach go/no go decisions in 2006 regarding Phase 2 development of HGS-ETR2 as a single-agent and/or in combination with chemotherapy.
Please go to www.hgsi.com for more in-depth information about Company, our capabilities, and our careers.
