MorphoSys to Present MOR208 Preclinical Combination Therapy Data at ASCO Meeting
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MorphoSys to Present MOR208 Preclinical Combination Therapy Data at ASCO Meeting
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Synergistic Effects Seen with Four Approved Treatment Options Including
Rituximab and Ofatumumab
MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) today announced
promising pre-clinical data on its proprietary drug candidate MOR208. MOR208
(formerly XmAb(®)5574) is a potent anti-CD19 antibody with a proprietary
modification to the Fc portion that is being developed to treat B-cell
malignancies. The pre-clinical data, which will be presented at the Annual
Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) on June 4, 2012,
demonstrate the potential for four different combination therapies with MOR208
in models of lymphoma.
"Combination therapies including antibodies represent a promising approach to
more efficacious anti-tumor therapy," commented Dr. Arndt Schottelius, Chief
Development Officer of MorphoSys AG. "These intriguing results provide a first
rationale for MOR208 drug combinations which warrant further evaluation in
clinical trials."
MOR208 is an Fc-engineered, humanized, anti-CD19 antibody with superior
cytotoxicity in a number of in vitro and in vivo models of lymphoma and
leukemia. The antibody is currently being evaluated in patients with
relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In the preclinical studies
which will be presented in full at the ASCO meeting, approved therapeutic agents
including the small-molecule drugs bendamustine (Ribomustin(®)) and fludarabine
(Fludara(®)) as well as the anti-CD20 antibodies rituximab (Rituxan(®)) and
ofatumumab (Arzerra(®)) were evaluated for their ability to enhance the
cytotoxicity of MOR208. The in vitro and in vivo activities of MOR208 in an
aggressive lymphoma model were synergistically enhanced by all applied drugs,
independent of their different modes of action.
In June 2010, MorphoSys AG and Xencor signed a collaboration agreement, which
provided MorphoSys with an exclusive worldwide license to MOR208. The antibody
has been engineered to possess significantly enhanced antibody-dependent cell-
mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), thus improving a key mechanism for tumor cell
killing and offering potential for enhanced efficacy compared to traditional
antibodies for the treatment of cancer. MorphoSys will be solely responsible for
further clinical development after successful completion of the currently active
phase 1 clinical trial. The Company plans to initiate additional clinical trials
for MOR208 in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia
(ALL) by the end of 2012.
MO208 represents one of four proprietary clinical programs MorphoSys is
currently pursuing. The Company's proprietary portfolio also comprises MOR103, a
fully human HuCAL antibody directed against GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage-
colony stimulating factor), currently in development in RA and MS, as well as
MOR202, a HuCAL antibody targeting CD38, which is being evaluated in multiple
myeloma.
About MorphoSys:
MorphoSys developed HuCAL, the most successful antibody library technology in
the pharmaceutical industry. By successfully applying this and other patented
technologies, MorphoSys has become a leader in the field of therapeutic
antibodies, one of the fastest-growing drug classes in human healthcare. The
company's AbD Serotec unit uses HuCAL and other antibody technologies to
generate superior monoclonal antibodies for research and diagnostic
applications.
Together with its pharmaceutical partners, MorphoSys has built a therapeutic
pipeline of more than 70 human antibody drug candidates for the treatment of
cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease, to name just a few. With
its ongoing commitment to new antibody technology and drug development,
MorphoSys is focused on making the healthcare products of tomorrow. MorphoSys is
listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol MOR. For regular updates
about MorphoSys, visit http://www.morphosys.com
HuCAL(®), HuCAL GOLD(®), HuCAL PLATINUM(®), Ylanthia(®), CysDisplay(®),
RapMAT(®) and arYla(®) are registered trademarks of MorphoSys AG.
XmAb(®) is a registered trademark of Xencor, Inc.
Ribomustin(®) is a registered trademark of Astellas.
Fludara(®) is a registered trademark of Genzyme/Sanofi Aventis.
Rituxan(®) is a registered trademark of Genentech/Roche.
Arzerra(®) is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.
This communication contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the
MorphoSys group of companies. The forward-looking statements contained herein
represent the judgment of MorphoSys as of the date of this release and involve
risks and uncertainties. Should actual conditions differ from the Company's
assumptions, actual results and actions may differ from those anticipated.
MorphoSys does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements as
far as the wording of the relevant press release is concerned.
For more information, please contact:
MorphoSys AG
Dr. Claudia Gutjahr-Löser
Head of Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-122
Mario Brkulj
Senior Manager Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-454
Jessica Kulpi
Specialist Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-332
investors(at)morphosys.com
Media Release:
http://hugin.info/130295/R/1612843/513530.pdf
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Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: MorphoSys AG via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1612843]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 17.05.2012 - 07:30 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 147561
Anzahl Zeichen: 7003
contact information:
Town:
Martinsried / München
Kategorie:
Business News
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