Human Genome Sciences
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Biopharmaceutical |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Craig Venter, Alan Walton, Wally Steinberg |
| Defunct | July 16, 2012 |
| Fate | Acquired by GlaxoSmithKline |
| Headquarters | Rockville , United States |
Key people | William A. Haseltine (CEO and chairman until 2004), H. Thomas Watkins (President and CEO from 2004) |
| Products | Belimumab (Benlysta), Raxibacumab (Abthrax), Mapatumumab, Lexatumumab, Darapladib, Albiglutide, HGS1036 |
| Parent | GlaxoSmithKline (from 2012) |
| Website | www |
Human Genome Sciences (HGS) was a biopharmaceutical enterprise established in 1992 by Craig Venter, Alan Walton, and Wally Steinberg. The company utilized the human genome sequence to create protein and antibody therapeutics aimed at treating conditions such as hepatitis C, systemic lupus erythematosus, anthrax, and various cancers. It engaged in collaborations and licensing arrangements with multiple biotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations.
On July 16, 2012, GlaxoSmithKline completed its acquisition of HGS for $3.6 billion.
History
HGS was launched by Alan Walton, Wally Steinberg, and Craig Venter in partnership with the non-profit entity TIGR. The company concentrated on sequencing and securing patents for DNA segments coding for proteins. In 1992, Wally Steinberg appointed William A. Haseltine as CEO and chairman, positions he maintained for twelve years.
In April 1993, SmithKline Beecham made a $125 million investment in HGS to gain access to genomic discovery technologies—the largest funding round for a biotech startup at that time. By 1994, HGS and SmithKline Beecham had raised an additional $320 million through licensing agreements with firms such as Takeda, Merck, Schering Plough, and Sanofi.
By 1994, TIGR and HGS had identified over 90% of human genes and collected data on their expression patterns in both healthy and diseased tissues. HGS commenced clinical trials for therapeutics developed via genomic approaches, including Keratinocyte Growth Factor 2 for diabetic ulcers and mucositis, vascular endothelial growth factor targeting limb ischemia, BLyS inhibitors for multiple myeloma and lupus (belimumab), as well as monoclonal antibodies directed at cancer targets.
In 1997, HGS allocated $40 million to construct a drug manufacturing facility in Rockville.
By the year 2000, Haseltine emphasized the company's capacity to significantly accelerate biological discoveries. Although more than $2 billion had been raised by that time, two early-stage drugs failed in clinical trials, adversely affecting the company's stock price. For instance, repifermin (keratinocyte growth factor-2) development was discontinued in 2004 following unsuccessful efficacy results.
Haseltine retired in late 2004; H. Thomas Watkins assumed the roles of President and CEO.
Belimumab (Benlysta), co-developed with GlaxoSmithKline, received FDA approval for lupus treatment in March 2011. Raxibacumab (Abthrax), developed under a U.S. government contract through Project BioShield, targeted anthrax exposure. Development of albinterferon for hepatitis C was terminated after early clinical testing resulted in fatalities. Both belimumab and raxibacumab originated from a licensing agreement signed in 1999 with Cambridge Antibody Technology.
The Rockville campus of HGS was recognized with architectural awards for its design excellence.
In April 2012, GlaxoSmithKline launched an unsolicited bid valuing HGS at $2.59 billion; this offer was rejected by the board as undervaluing the company’s assets. Following the implementation of a shareholder rights plan ("poison pill") that delayed the acquisition amid shareholder litigation, HGS ultimately accepted GSK’s enhanced offer of $3.6 billion in July 2012.
Collaboration with Cambridge Antibody Technology
In 1999, HGS formed a strategic alliance with the British biopharmaceutical company Cambridge Antibody Technology to advance the development of antibody-based therapies. This partnership led to the creation of significant products such as belimumab, raxibacumab, mapatumumab, and lexatumumab. By April 2012, the first three had become central components of HGS's publicly disclosed pipeline, highlighting their importance within the company’s product lineup and contributing to its commercial expansion.
Pipeline
As of April 2012, HGS's development portfolio included six main candidates: