Antibodies: Timeline of key events

Mouseover the event title for a more detailed description of the event (if available). To search for particular terms in the description of the event enter the term in the box below 'Event' on the table and press 'enter'. Alternatively use the dropdown lists to filter by Person, Place or Science. Click here to clear the filter.

The technology allowed for the development of antibody drug conjugates.2001-01-01T00:00:00+00002001-03-01T00:00:00+0000Milstein was an Argentinian biochemist. Together with Georges Kohler, Milstein developed the first unlimited supply of long-lasting monoclonal antibodies. Their technique now underpins the development and application of many diagnostics and therapeutics. Kohler and Milstein devised the method as part of their search for a tool to investigate how the immune system can make so many different kinds antibodies, each able to bind to a highly specific receptor on foreign substances that invade the body. 2002-03-24T00:00:00+0000The drug, adalimumab (Humira), was approved by the FDA for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It was created using phage display, a technique first invented by Greg Winter in 1990. Cambridge Antibody Technology, BASF Bioresearch Corporation and Abbott Laboratories partnered to develop and market the drug. 2002-12-31T00:00:00+0000Chase was an American immunologist who in the early 1940s discovered that white blood cells trigger the immune response in the body confronting a foreign invader. His finding laid to rest the belief that antibodies by themselves could protect the body from allergies and pathogens. Chase also uncovered the second arm of the immune system, known as cell-mediated immunity, paving the way to the discovery of lymphocyte cells and B and T cells.2004-01-05T00:00:00+0000The diagnostic, called NeutroSpectT, uses a monoclonal antibody, SSEA1, discovered at the Wistar Institute and developed by Palatin Technologies.2004-04-05T00:00:00+0000Murray was the founder of Sera-Lab, the first biotechnology company to commercialise monoclonal antibodies. His entrepreneurial efforts paved the way to the wide-scale adoption of monoclonal antibodies in research and their clinical application. 2004-10-11T00:00:00+0000The two companies agreed to share the costs and responsibilities of research and product development up to the completion of a Phase 2 clinical study in each party's territory.2005-05-01T00:00:00+0000Schoemaker was a Dutch biochemist who was co-founder and first Chief Executive Officer of Centocor, an American biotechnology company that pioneered the commercialisation of monoclonal antibody diagnostics and therapeutics. After Centocor was sold to Johnson & Johnson for $5.2 billion in 1999, Schoemaker founded Neuronyx to develop cellular therapies. One of the treatments pioneered by Neuronyx was the use of stem cells from bone marrow to help regenerate heart tissue damaged by heart attacks. 2006-01-01T00:00:00+0000Panitumumab (Vectibix) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with EGFR-expressing metatastic colorectal cancer. The drug is a fully human monoclonal antibody created with transgenic mice. It was developed by Agensys with Amgen. 2006-09-27T00:00:00+0000Drug, MSX-1106, to be assessed for malignant melanoma, renal cell cancer, castrate-resistant prostate cancer and non-small cell lung carcinoma2008-11-24T00:00:00+0000Seattle genetics had been developing the drug with Genentech. 2009-01-01T00:00:00+0000The partnership ended because of lack of progress with the drug SGN-40.2009-10-01T00:00:00+0000The partnership allowed for Takeda to obtain overseas approvals for brentuximab vedotin.2009-12-01T00:00:00+0000Klinman was an American immunologist who developed the splenic focus assay, a tool that allowed analysis of antibody production derived from single clones of B cells. He used the tool to analyse immune tolerance and immune responses to influenza. In addition he invented the splenic fragment system, a technique that helped generate some of earliest monoclonal antibodies against viral antigens and cancer.2010-05-04T00:00:00+00002011-02-01T00:00:00+0000The drug was approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma. The drug uses a monoclonal that blocks CTLA-4 so as to activate an immune response against the cancer.2011-03-25T00:00:00+00002011-07-01T00:00:00+00002011-08-01T00:00:00+0000Askonas was a leading figure in immunology whose work helped to establish the basic mechanisms and components of immune system. Together with colleagues she developed one of the first systems for the cloning of antibody-forming B cells in vivo, some of the earliest monoclonal antibodies. She was also one of the first scientists to isolate and clone virus specific T lymphocytes, laying the foundation for defining different influenza sub-sets and improving vaccines. 2013-01-09T00:00:00+0000
Date Event People Places Sciences
2001Seattle Genetics began licensing out its technology to other companies Seattle GeneticsMonoclonal antibodies, Oncology
Mar 2001Seattle Genetics raised approximately $51 million through its Initial Public Offering Seattle GeneticsMonoclonal antibodies
Mar 2002Cesar Milstein diedMilsteinLaboratory of Molecular BiologyAntibodies, Monoclonal antibodies, Immunology
31 Dec 2002First fully human monoclonal antibody drug approved for market WinterCAT, BASF, AbbottMonoclonal antibodies, Phage display
5 Jan 2004Merrill W Chase diedChaseRockefeller UniversityAntibodies, Immunology
Apr 2004US FDA approved new imaging agent for detecting difficult to diagnose cases of appendicitis Wistar Institute, Palatin TechnologiesMonoclonal antibodies
11 Oct 2004David Murray died in La Garde-Freinet, FranceMurraySera-LabMonoclonal antibodies
May 2005Medarex and Ono Pharmaceuticals entered research alliance to develop a fully human anti-PD-1 antibody for the treatment of cancer Medarex, Ono PharmaceuticalImmune checkpoint inhibitors, Immunotherapy, Monoclonal antibodies
1 Jan 2006Hubert Schoemaker died in Philadelphia, USASchoemaker Monoclonal antibodies, Stem cells
Sep 2006First fully human monoclonal antibody drug approved Agensys, AmgenMonoclonal antibodies, transgenic
24 Nov 2008First anti-PD-1 antibody entered phase 1 clinical trial for cancer Medarex, Ono PharmaceuticalImmune checkpoint inhibitors, Immunotherapy, Monoclonal antibodies
2009First drug developed by Seattle Genetics, SG40, failed phase IIb trial Seattle Genetics, GenentechMonoclonal antibodies, Oncology
Oct 2009Genentech ended its drug development partnership with Seattle Genetics Seattle Genetics, GenentechMonoclonal antibodies, Oncology
Dec 2009Seattle Genetics partnered with Takeda Oncology Company  Seattle Genetics, TakedaMonoclonal antibodies, Oncology
4 May 2010Norman Klinman died in San Diego, California, USAKlinmanWistar Institute, University of PennsylvaniaAntibodies, Monoclonal antibodies, Immunology
Feb 2011Seattle Genetics submitted a Biologics License Application to the FDA for the approval of brentuximab vedotin Seattle GeneticsMonoclonal antibodies, Oncology
25 Mar 2011First immune checkpoint inhibitor drug targeting CTLA4 (ipilimumab, Yervoy®), approved by the FDAAllisonMedarex, University of California BerkleyImmune checkpoint inhibitors, Cancer immunotherapy, Oncology, Monoclonal antibodies
Jul 2011Phase I clinical trials launched for enfortumab vedotin by Seattle Genetics with Agenys/Asterllas Pharma Seattle Genetics, Astellas PharmaMonoclonal antibodies, Oncology
Aug 2011Seattle Genetics won FDA approval for its first drug - brentuximab vedotin (Adecetris) Seattle GeneticsMonoclonal antibodies, Oncology
9 Jan 2013Brigitte Askonas diedAskonasNational Institute for Medical ResearchImmunology, Monoclonal antibodies

2001

Seattle Genetics began licensing out its technology to other companies

Mar 2001

Seattle Genetics raised approximately $51 million through its Initial Public Offering

Mar 2002

Cesar Milstein died

31 Dec 2002

First fully human monoclonal antibody drug approved for market

5 Jan 2004

Merrill W Chase died

Apr 2004

US FDA approved new imaging agent for detecting difficult to diagnose cases of appendicitis

11 Oct 2004

David Murray died in La Garde-Freinet, France

May 2005

Medarex and Ono Pharmaceuticals entered research alliance to develop a fully human anti-PD-1 antibody for the treatment of cancer

1 Jan 2006

Hubert Schoemaker died in Philadelphia, USA

Sep 2006

First fully human monoclonal antibody drug approved

24 Nov 2008

First anti-PD-1 antibody entered phase 1 clinical trial for cancer

2009

First drug developed by Seattle Genetics, SG40, failed phase IIb trial

Oct 2009

Genentech ended its drug development partnership with Seattle Genetics

Dec 2009

Seattle Genetics partnered with Takeda Oncology Company

4 May 2010

Norman Klinman died in San Diego, California, USA

Feb 2011

Seattle Genetics submitted a Biologics License Application to the FDA for the approval of brentuximab vedotin

25 Mar 2011

First immune checkpoint inhibitor drug targeting CTLA4 (ipilimumab, Yervoy®), approved by the FDA

Jul 2011

Phase I clinical trials launched for enfortumab vedotin by Seattle Genetics with Agenys/Asterllas Pharma

Aug 2011

Seattle Genetics won FDA approval for its first drug - brentuximab vedotin (Adecetris)

9 Jan 2013

Brigitte Askonas died

Respond to or comment on this page on our feeds on Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon or Twitter.