MorphoSys AG / MorphoSys Initiates Program Against Drug-Resistant MRSA Infections
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MorphoSys Secures Access to Innovative Targets through In-licensing and Collaboration
Agreement with Absynth Biologics
MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) announced today a new
proprietary development program against novel infectious disease targets. As part of
this initiative, MorphoSys has signed a license and collaboration agreement with
UK-based Absynth Biologics, providing access to novel target molecules associated with
Staphylococcus aureus infections including MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus).
MorphoSys will generate antibodies using its proprietary HuCAL PLATINUM antibody library
which Absynth will test in relevant disease models. MorphoSys will be solely responsible
for the development and partnering of the resulting compounds. Absynth will receive an
upfront payment and is eligible for development-dependent milestone payments and
royalties. Further financial details were not disclosed.
“This collaboration brings together Absynth’s novel, proprietary targets and expertise
in S. aureus including MRSA and MorphoSys’s expertise in the generation of antibody
drugs. We see these new targets as a very promising basis of antibody therapy for an
increasingly serious medical problem,” commented Dr. Simon Moroney, Chief Executive
Officer of MorphoSys AG. “Our goal is to create a valuable package of proprietary
targets together with high-affinity antibodies, supported by compelling data, which will
allow us to partner the program for subsequent development. The targets identified by
Absynth represent a unique opportunity to generate value rather quickly and create
out-licensing opportunities much earlier than in the areas of cancer and inflammation,
which remain however the main focus areas for our discovery and development
organization.”
“We are delighted to be collaborating with MorphoSys,” commented Dr Fiona Marston, Chief
Executive, Absynth Biologics Limited. “The synergies between our technologies enhance
the prospects of creating products to benefit patients suffering from S. aureus
infections.”
Absynth’s genomics-based approach allows identification of previously overlooked
targets, such as bacterial components which are crucial to the organism, conserved
across different bacterial strains and accessible for antibodies. Absynth has
demonstrated that monoclonal antibodies against the targets in-licensed by MorphoSys
inhibit the growth of S. aureus and recruit the human immune system to eliminate
bacteria via phagocytosis. Absynth has filed patent applications on all targets involved
in the collaboration.
Hospital-acquired or nosocomial infections are a growing public health concern and are
associated with increasing levels of mortality. The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention estimates that in the United States alone about 1.7 million nosocomial
infections and 99,000 associated deaths occur each year. These infections are caused by
micro-organisms including drug-resistant MRSA. In the United Kingdom, S. aureus accounts
for almost half of all hospital-acquired infections.
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 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/ http://www.morphosys.com/
HuCAL®, HuCAL GOLD®, HuCAL PLATINUM®, CysDisplay® and RapMAT® are registered trademarks
of MorphoSys AG.
About Absynth
Founded in 2007 by Fusion IP and based on discoveries from the University of Sheffield
laboratories of Professor Simon Foster & Dr Jorge Garcia-Lara, Absynth is a private, UK
biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of products for the
prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. The company’s distinctive approach
uses genomics to identify highly conserved bacterial protein targets, essential for life
and capable of stimulating the immune system. Our platform has broad potential against a
range of bacterial infections. Absynth’s novel targets offer two lines of attacking
infection: vaccines for prophylactic use to stimulate an immune response or antibodies
for anti-infective treatments. In its vaccine programmes, the company has shown that its
S. aureus antigens effectively harness the immune system and in vivo reproducibly
protect against infection in the gold-standard in vivo model of infection. Absynth’s
novel antigens are also found in other infectious bacteria which forms the basis of the
company’s pipeline. Absynth is located in Sheffield, UK. For further information, visit
http://www.absynthbiologics.co.uk/
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@morphosys.com mailto:investors@morphosys.com
Absynth Biologics Limited
Dr Fiona Marston
Chief Executive
Tel: +44 (0)114 275 5633
HUG#1442106
Press Release http://hugin.info/130295/R/1442106/386376.pdf
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MorphoSys AG
Lena-Christ-Str. 48 Martinsried / München Germany
WKN: 663200;ISIN: DE0006632003;Index:TecDAX,Prime All Share,CDAX,TECH All
Share,HDAX,MIDCAP;
Listed: Freiverkehr in Börse Stuttgart,
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Freiverkehr in Börse Berlin,
Freiverkehr in Börse Düsseldorf,
Freiverkehr in Bayerische Börse München,
Freiverkehr in Niedersächsische Börse zu Hannover,
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