Benlysta works by targeting a protein called BLISS that came out of HGS' gene databases.
To create LymphoStat-B, HGS devised an antibody that binds to BLYS and inactivates it.
At HGS seven gene-based drugs have entered trials, but most remain in the earlier stages of clinical testing.
Thanks to its gene-hunting prowess, HGS appears to have an early lead over several rivals pursuing similar compounds.
That could make it a commercial non-starter, and the disappointing results caused HGS shares to fall 53% in a day.
As HGS unearthed new proteins, he would mix them with various immune-system cells in test tubes to see what happened.
GlaxoSmithKline, the first drug titan to pursue genomics, partnered with HGS but has produced only two drugs now in human testing.
In September HGS disclosed that its wound-healing agent, repifermin, had failed to heal venous ulcers in a trial of 352 patients.
An HGS rival, Incyte, has shared genomics secrets with most major drug firms, but no resulting drugs have yet entered early trials.
HGS' best shot at a breakthrough is a new drug that targets lupus, the auto-immune disease that afflicts half a million Americans.
By 1999 HGS had identified the complete genes for 9, 000 such proteins.
Now repifermin is being tested for preventing chemotherapy's side effects, but the market is modest, and HGS faces competition from industry giant Amgen.
HGS, contends that it would be wrong to prescribe drugs with potentially lethal side-effects if a patient's only protection is a fallible genetic test.
HGS, meanwhile, is testing whether BLYS helps patients with immune deficiencies.
By 1993 HGS had created a proprietary database of 100, 000 gene fragments, categorized by the type of diseased or healthy tissue in which they were found.
The fate of HGS and of other genomics pioneers has implications for the entire drug industry, which is still counting on genomics to refresh tired product portfolios.
While GSK's partner Human Genome Sciences invented the drug, Glaxo invested in HGS' gene-hunting technology back in 1993 and stayed the course even after murky early results.
In July 1999 HGS reported its discovery in Science magazine.
HGS, gets human antibodies out of the mice and, if these prove useful in a test tube, makes human monoclonals directly from XenoMouse for further testing as potential drugs.
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