MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) announced today that it will receive a milestone payment from Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. (formerly known as: Centocor, Inc.) in connection with the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial using a HuCAL-derived, fully human antibody in the therapeutic area of inflammation.
"The advancement of a new HuCAL antibody into human clinical trials is an important step forward for MorphoSys," commented Dr. Simon Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys AG. "Progress in the development of innovative biopharmaceutical agents by our partners is a key driver of our company's growth."
The current program becomes the second HuCAL antibody derived from MorphoSys's collaboration with Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. to enter the clinic. In 2007, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. started a Phase 1 study with a HuCAL antibody in oncology patients and commenced a Phase 2 trial in an immunological indication using the same antibody one year later. The antibody became the first from MorphoSys to be developed in two different indications. With the new study, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. will be running three clinical trials of HuCAL antibodies.
MorphoSys anticipates that in 2009, between two and four partnered programs will enter clinical trials. Altogether, the partnered and proprietary pipeline of MorphoSys is expected to comprise up to eight compounds in clinical trials by the end of 2009, with at least three antibodies in Phase 2.
About MorphoSys:
MorphoSys is a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on the generation of fully human antibodies as a means to discover and develop innovative antibody-based drugs against life-threatening diseases. MorphoSys's goal is to establish HuCAL as the technology of choice for antibody generation in research, diagnostics and therapeutic applications. The Company currently has therapeutic and research alliances with the majority of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies including Boehringer Ingelheim, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc./Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer and Roche. Within these partnerships, more than 50 therapeutic antibody programs are ongoing in which MorphoSys participates through exclusive license and milestones payments as well as royalties on any end products. Additionally, MorphoSys is active in the antibody research market through its AbD Serotec business unit. The business unit has operations in Germany (Munich), the U.S. (Raleigh, NC) and U.K. (Oxford). For further information please visit http://www.morphosys.com/
HuCAL®, HuCAL GOLD®, HuCAL PLATINUM® and RapMAT® are registered trademarks of MorphoSys AG
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.
Contact:
Dr. Claudia Gutjahr-Löser
Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-122
gutjahr-loeser@morphosys.com
Mario Brkulj
Senior Manager Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-454
brkulj@morphosys.com