MorphoSys AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) and Sigma-Aldrich (Nasdaq: SIAL) today announced a collaboration agreement to design, produce and distribute unique recombinant research antibodies using MorphoSys's proprietary HuCAL GOLD technology. MorphoSys's AbD Serotec unit will develop and qualify unique antibodies from MorphoSys's proprietary HuCAL GOLD library against a committed number of targets identified and supplied by Sigma-Aldrich. HuCAL GOLD is the most recent and most powerful phage-display library developed for the in vitro generation of highly specific and fully human antibodies. The large diversity of the library guarantees fast and successful generation of high-quality antibodies to targets that have previously been difficult to probe with standard antibody-generation technologies. Sigma-Aldrich will offer the HuCAL-based recombinant research antibodies for use in research applications through its powerful and unique online sales platforms Antibody Explorer(TM) and Your Favorite Gene Search(TM).
'We are very excited about the potential of this partnership,' said Dr. David Smoller, president of Sigma-Aldrich's Research Biotech business unit. 'HuCAL-based recombinant antibody technology will allow researchers access to antibody content not available through standard antibody generation technologies. In conjunction with Sigma-Aldrich's standard content generation capabilities, this powerful technology is expected to allow the community to reach its goal of a binder for every gene and one-day even protein in the human body.'
'With Sigma-Aldrich and MorphoSys's AbD Serotec, two leading research antibody suppliers are joining forces to provide the research community with easy access to HuCAL-based antibodies through Sigma-Aldrich's strong distribution network and market presence,' commented Dr. Simon Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys AG. 'The contract supports MorphoSys's goal to introduce a growing number of HuCAL research antibodies into the market, and will further increase AbD Serotec's presence and the acceptance of recombinant research antibodies in the research community alike.'
For further information please contact: Dr. Claudia Gutjahr-Löser, Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-122, gutjahr-loeser@morphosys.com or Mario Brkulj, Manager Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-454, brkulj@morphosys.com