MorphoSys AG : Collaborator to Start Pivotal Study with Bimagrumab
MorphoSys to Receive Clinical Milestone Payment
MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX, OTC: MPSYY) announced today that its collaborator Novartis has initiated a phase 2/3 clinical trial in sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) patients with the HuCAL-derived antibody bimagrumab (BYM338). The event triggered a clinical milestone payment to MorphoSys. Further financial details were not disclosed.
Bimagrumab (BYM338) is a novel, fully human monoclonal antibody developed to treat pathological muscle loss and weakness. Bimagrumab was developed by the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), in collaboration with MorphoSys, whose HuCAL library was used to identify the antibody. Bimagrumab binds with high affinity to type II activin receptors, preventing natural ligands from binding, including myostatin and activin. Bimagrumab stimulates muscle growth by blocking signaling from these inhibitory molecules. Novartis received FDA breakthrough therapy designation for bimagrumab for sporadic inclusion body myositis in August 2013. In addition to being developed in sIBM, bimagrumab is in clinical development for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer cachexia, sarcopenia and in mechanically ventilated patients.
"Our pipeline of both partner and proprietary antibody drugs represents the main value driver for MorphoSys and we are therefore delighted to see one of the most exciting and innovative HuCAL-based antibody programs advance into the next stage of clinical development. Bimagrumab is the second HuCAL antibody to enter pivotal studies," commented Dr. Marlies Sproll, Chief Scientific Officer of MorphoSys AG.
MorphoSys's clinical pipeline now comprises 21 programs. Of these, 17 are programs that were initiated by partners, of which two 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 two phase 2 trials in B-ALL and NHL. MOR103, partnered with GSK, has concluded a phase 1b/2a trial in rheumatoid arthritis, and is currently being evaluated in 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:
http://www.morphosys.com/pipeline of more than 70 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:
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
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-122
Mario Brkulj
Associate Director Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-454
Alexandra Goller
Specialist Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-332
[email protected]:
mailto:[email protected]