Catumaxomab, a rat/murine hybrid trifunctional bispecific monoclonal antibody for the treatment of cancer.

Fresenius Biotech GmbH (licensed from TRION Pharma GmbH) is developing catumaxomab, a rat/murine hybrid, trifunctional, bispecific (anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule and anti-CD3) mAb for the potential intravenous and intraperitoneal treatment of ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, malignant pleural effusion and other cancers, and also for malignant ascites associated with various cancers. In 2007, following the successful completion of a phase II/III clinical trial in patients with malignant ascites from various cancers, Fresenius filed for European approval. Catumaxomab is currently undergoing phase II clinical trials in patients with malignant ascites, ovarian and stomach cancer.