MorphoSys AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: MOR; Prime Standard Segment) today announced the achievement of a fourth therapeutic milestone within the scope of its collaboration with Centocor Inc. In meeting the milestone, MorphoSys developed several highly optimized fully human IgG antibodies using its proprietary HuCAL GOLD® antibody library against a Centocor target involved in inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. As part of the collaboration milestone, MorphoSys applied its proprietary HuCAL GOLD® antibody library in order to generate antibodies which passed pre-defined criteria. Achievement of the milestone triggered a payment from Centocor to MorphoSys. Further financial details were not disclosed.
The cooperation between MorphoSys and Centocor, initiated in December 2000, is aimed at the development of human therapeutic antibodies in a range of indications. In December 2004 the collaboration was extended by another three years. Within the scope of the collaboration, Centocor has access to HuCAL GOLD® for the development of therapeutic antibodies as well as for research purposes. Additionally, Centocor uses AutoCAL(TM), the MorphoSys-developed system for automated screening of the HuCAL® antibody library. In September 2005, both companies launched a new antibody program to develop a therapeutic antibody against a Centocor target molecule involved in immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases.
'Our successful collaboration with Centocor continues to deliver progress towards new therapeutic antibodies, as evidenced by this fourth successful therapeutic milestone,' commented Dr. Simon Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys AG.