Robertson Stephens Reiterates Strong Buy Rating on ABGX
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2000--Robertson Stephens Managing Director and Senior Biopharmaceuticals Analyst Jay Silverman today reiterated his Strong Buy rating on Abgenix Inc. (NASDAQ:ABGX - news). Abgenix is focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary monoclonal antibodies for pharmaceutical applications, including transplant related conditions, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer.
``We are reiterating our Strong Buy rating on Abgenix, after the company announced a large technology deal with Millenium Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:MLNM - news),'' said Silverman. ``Millenium will have access to Abgenix's Xenomouse technology for a sizable number of antibodies. Details of the deal were not disclosed, however, Millenium will make payments to Abgenix up to $100 million, including a significant up front payment. Abgenix will also receive milestone payments and royalties based upon future product sales.''
``This is the third in a series of similar deals, confirming that Abgenix's Xenomouse is the preferred technology for generating future monoclonal antibodies with the genomics revolution,'' said Silverman. ``Abgenix now trades at a market cap below that of its peers. As the dominant player in the antibody field, we believe that this is a short-lived phenomenon.''
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