MorphoSys partners anti-C5aR I-O antibody with I-Mab

MorphoSys has partnered with I-Mab to support development of anti-C5aR antibody MOR210. The deal sees I-Mab agree to take the immuno-oncology candidate up to clinical proof of concept.

MOR210 is designed to block interactions between complement factor C5a and its receptor. As C5a is thought to activate myeloid-derived suppressor cells and thereby make the tumor microenvironment immunosuppressive, MorphoSys thinks stopping the interactions will enable the immune system to attack cancer cells.

I-Mab, which is partnered with MorphoSys on anti-CD38 antibody MOR202, has bought into the idea and paid $3.5 million (€3.1 million) upfront for the rights to preclinical-stage MOR210 in China, South Korea and some other Asian markets. I-Mab is on the hook for up to $101.5 million in milestones.

The agreement ties I-Mab to some commitments. I-Mab will fund and carry out development of the antibody up to clinical proof of concept in oncology. The I-Mab-led activities will include clinical trials in the U.S. Once the drug gets to proof of concept, MorphoSys can resume its development role and take the drug deeper into the clinic.

Ceding responsibility for early-phase trials to I-Mab will enable MorphoSys to find out whether the drug can live up to its preclinical promise while remaining focused on its other programs. In return, MorphoSys will pay I-Mab royalties on sales in territories where it has retained the rights to MOR210.

If MOR210 makes it all the way to market, it may compete with another anti-C5aR antibody that is in development at Innate Pharma. Innate acquired the rights to the antibody, IPH5401, from Novo Nordisk for €40 million upfront last year, and went on to move it into a clinical trial two months ago. The trial is testing IPH5401 in combination with AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi in solid tumors.