MorphoSys Reaches Clinical Milestone with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
MorphoSys AG /
MorphoSys Reaches Clinical Milestone with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals
Processed and transmitted by Thomson Reuters.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
First HuCAL-based Antibody Targeting Cancer Stem Cells Reaches Clinical
Development
MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) announced today that it
has received a milestone payment from OncoMed Pharmaceuticals in connection with
the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial with a HuCAL-derived, fully human
antibody. The antibody OMP-59R5, which is part of OncoMed's Notch pathway
collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, is now being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in
the US in patients with advanced solid tumors. Preclinical studies have
demonstrated that OMP-59R5 decreases the frequency of tumor-initiating cells
across a variety of tumor types.
"This promising new program is MorphoSys's first HuCAL drug candidate targeting
a validated cancer stem cell pathway," commented Dr. Marlies Sproll, Chief
Scientific Officer of MorphoSys AG. "Cancer stem cells potentially offer one of
the most attractive targets for attacking a range of tumor types, making this
program an exciting addition to the overall pipeline of HuCAL-based drugs. This
is one of eight partnered programs that moved into the clinic in 2010."
"The advancement into clinical studies of this novel antibody targeting Notch
receptors provides a demonstration of our success in applying the HuCAL antibody
technology to novel drug discovery," said Paul Hastings, President and Chief
Executive Officer of OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. "OMP-59R5 is the second of
OncoMed's rapidly emerging pipeline of protein therapeutics targeting cancer
stem cells to enter clinical studies and, as such, represents a major
achievement for our company."
In June 2006, MorphoSys and US-based biopharmaceutical company OncoMed
Pharmaceuticals announced the signing of a license agreement on the use of
MorphoSys's HuCAL technology in the research and development of human
therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of various cancers, including breast,
lung, colon and prostate cancer, by targeting cancer stem cells. In June 2008,
the collaboration was extended until the end of May 2010. The contract included
an option for OncoMed to develop up to five HuCAL-derived therapeutic
antibodies.
MorphoSys's clinical pipeline now comprises ten partnered programs in Phase 1
and five in Phase 2 development as well as the Company's proprietary programs
MOR103, which is in a Phase 1b/2a trial for rheumatoid arthritis, and MOR208,
which is in a Phase 1 trial for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
About MorphoSys:
MorphoSys is an independent biotechnology company that develops novel antibodies
for therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications. The Company's HuCAL
technology is one of the most powerful methods available for generating fully
human antibodies. By successfully applying this and other proprietary
technologies, MorphoSys has become a leader in the field of therapeutic
antibodies, one of the fastest-growing drug classes in human health-care.
Through its alliances with some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies,
MorphoSys has created a pipeline of more than 60 drug candidates. The Company is
expanding its drug pipeline by adding new partnered programs, and by building a
portfolio of fully-owned therapeutic antibodies. For its proprietary portfolio,
the Company is focused on the areas of oncology and inflammation. Its most
advanced program MOR103, a first-in-class, fully human antibody against GM-CSF,
is currently being tested in a Phase Ib/IIa trial in rheumatoid arthritis
patients. Via its business unit AbD Serotec, MorphoSys is expanding the reach of
its technologies in the diagnostics and research markets. MorphoSys is
headquartered in Munich, Germany and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
under the symbol "MOR". For further information, visit http://www.morphosys.com/
HuCAL(®), HuCAL GOLD(®), HuCAL PLATINUM(®), CysDisplay(®) and RapMAT(®) are
registered trademarks of MorphoSys; arYla(TM) is a trademark of MorphoSys.
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
--- End of Message ---
MorphoSys AG
Lena-Christ-Str. 48 Martinsried / München Germany
WKN: 663200;ISIN: DE0006632003;Index:TecDAX,CDAX,Prime All Share,TECH All Share,HDAX,MIDCAP;
Listed: Freiverkehr in Börse Stuttgart,
Freiverkehr in Hanseatische Wertpapierbörse zu Hamburg,
Freiverkehr in Börse Berlin,
Freiverkehr in Börse Düsseldorf,
Freiverkehr in Bayerische Börse München,
Freiverkehr in Niedersächsische Börse zu Hannover,
Prime Standard in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse,
Regulierter Markt in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse;
Press Release (PDF):
http://hugin.info/130295/R/1483538/418770.pdf
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of
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#1483538]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 31.01.2011 - 07:30 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 50852
Anzahl Zeichen: 7025
contact information:
Town:
Martinsried / München
Kategorie:
Business News
Diese Pressemitteilung wurde bisher 239 mal aufgerufen.
Die Pressemitteilung mit dem Titel:
"MorphoSys Reaches Clinical Milestone with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals"
steht unter der journalistisch-redaktionellen Verantwortung von
MorphoSys AG (Nachricht senden)
Beachten Sie bitte die weiteren Informationen zum Haftungsauschluß (gemäß TMG - TeleMedianGesetz) und dem Datenschutz (gemäß der DSGVO).
