MARTINSRIED/MUNICH, Germany, Oct. 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX, OTC: MPSYY) announced today that its collaborator Janssen Biotech, Inc. has initiated a phase 3 clinical trial in moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis with the HuCAL antibody guselkumab (CNTO1959). The event triggered a clinical milestone payment to MorphoSys. Further financial details were not disclosed.
"Our therapeutic antibody pipeline represents the main value driver for MorphoSys and we are delighted to see our third HuCAL antibody advancing into late-stage clinical development. With every phase 3 start, the time when the first HuCAL antibody drug could enter the market gets closer" commented Dr. Marlies Sproll, Chief Scientific Officer of MorphoSys AG.
MorphoSys's clinical pipeline currently comprises 21 antibodies. Of these, 18 are programs that were initiated by partners, of which three are in phase 3 development, eight are in phase 2 and seven are in phase 1. From the company's proprietary portfolio, MOR202, which is being co-developed with Celgene, is in a phase 1/2a trial for multiple myeloma. MOR208 is currently being evaluated in phase 2 trials in B-ALL, NHL and CLL. The third proprietary compound, MOR103, partnered with GSK, has concluded a phase 1b/2a trial in rheumatoid arthritis and a phase 1b trial in multiple sclerosis.
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.
Together with its pharmaceutical partners, MorphoSys has built a therapeutic pipeline of more than 80 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®, CysDisplay®, RapMAT®, arYla®, Ylanthia® and 100 billion high potentials® are registered trademarks of MorphoSys AG.
Slonomics® is a registered trademark of Sloning BioTechnology GmbH, a subsidiary 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.
For more information, please contact:
MorphoSys AG
Dr. Claudia Gutjahr-Löser
Head of Corporate Communications & IR
Mario Brkulj
Associate Director Corporate Communications & IR
Alexandra Goller
Specialist Corporate Communications & IR
Jessica Rush
Specialist Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-404
Media Release (PDF) http://hugin.info/130295/R/1865038/654743.pdf
HUG#1865038