AbD Serotec Receives Large Research Antibody Order from Proteomics Specialist Proteomika

AbD Serotec Receives Large Research Antibody Order from Proteomics Specialist Proteomika

03/05/2008 at 07:30 AM

MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) today announced that its AbD Serotec business unit has received a multiple research antibody order from Proteomika SL, a Spanish biotechnology company specializing in biomarker discovery. Proteomika has ordered novel, HuCAL-based, research antibodies against a broad range of target molecules in addition to the production of antigen material at AbD Serotec. AbD Serotec will apply MorphoSys's HuCAL GOLD antibody technology and the proprietary Antigen Expression System AgX(TM). The order ranks Proteomika among the largest customers for custom monoclonals services provided by AbD Serotec. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
 
Proteomika was established in 2002 as a subsidiary of the leading genomics company Progenika Biopharma SA with the objective of exploiting advances in biomarker research for the development of diagnostic and prognostic products. The company has established research collaborations with numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies aimed at the discovery and validation of non-invasive diagnostic and pharmacoproteomics markers as well as identifying novel therapeutic targets. Additionally, Proteomika is actively involved in in-house discovery projects at the bioGUNE Research Institute in cancer and other disease areas.
 
In announcing this agreement Dr. Laureano Simon, Chief Executive Officer of Proteomika, said "Proteomika is delighted to announce this agreement with AbD Serotec - the industry leader in providing tailored antibodies for research applications. The fast turn around in antibody production offered by AbD Serotec, together with the high quality of the resulting antibodies, will help accelerate the process of biomarker identification and validation, allowing Proteomika to bring new diagnostic and prognostic tools for human diseases to the market in the shortest possible timeframe."
 
"We welcome the decision of Proteomika to use HuCAL GOLD research antibodies in its proteomics programs," commented Dr. Simon Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys AG. "This order is one of the largest generated by AbD Serotec, and highlights the advantage of our HuCAL technology in bespoke proteomics applications."
 
For further information please contact: Dr. Claudia Gutjahr-Löser, Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-122, [email protected] or Mario Brkulj, Manager Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-454, [email protected]
 
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 largest pharmaceutical companies including Boehringer Ingelheim, Centocor/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® and HuCAL GOLD® are registered trademarks of MorphoSys AG
 
About Proteomika:
With the ever-expanding number of genome sequences available to researchers the challenge ahead lies in deciphering the wealth of information emerging from genomics programs in order to deliver new tools and products for the 21st century. Proteomics is at the leading edge of this endeavor - providing the means to investigate directly the changes in protein expression and modification that underlie all cellular processes - and constitutes the essential link between transcriptome and metabolome. Together with Progenika, Proteomika seeks to establish a leading position within the European Research Area in the field of post-genomics through innovation and excellence. For further information please visit http://www.proteomika.com/
 
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.