MorphoSys Strengthens Patent Position on Lead Program MOR103

10-Feb-2011 - Germany

MorphoSys AG announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a patent covering the Company's most advanced proprietary compound MOR103. The new patent (US 7,867,495) covers MorphoSys's HuCAL antibody against GM-CSF as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and has a scheduled expiry date in 2026, not including any potential extensions.

This newly issued patent complements a US patent granted in 2008 covering medical uses of antibodies against GM-CSF, to which MorphoSys has exclusive access under a license agreement with the University of Melbourne. Together, the two patent families provide strong intellectual property protection for the MOR103 program.

"The protection of our intellectual property is a central part of MorphoSys's business model," commented Dr. Simon Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys AG. "We will continue to strengthen still further our intellectual property position in antibody-based products and services, particularly in our most important markets Europe, the USA and Asia."

Human GM-CSF (Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor), the target molecule of MorphoSys's lead program MOR103, is implicated in a number of inflammatory and other conditions including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The HuCAL-derived, fully human antibody is currently being tested in a clinical Phase 1b/2a trial in RA patients. Additionally, MorphoSys plans to start a Phase 1b safety study of MOR103 in multiple sclerosis patients in 2011.

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous