MorphoSys Reaches Second Clinical Milestone with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals

29-Apr-2011 - Germany

MorphoSys AG  announced that it has received a milestone payment from OncoMed Pharmaceuticals in connection with the FDA acceptance of an IND for a HuCAL-derived, fully human antibody. The antibody OMP-18R5, which targets the Wnt signaling pathway, will be evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in the US in patients with advanced solid tumors.

"This is our first clinical milestone in 2011 bringing the total number of clinical programs with partners to 16," commented Dr. Marlies Sproll, Chief Scientific Officer of MorphoSys AG. "Additionally, the advancement of a second antibody program into clinical studies within the OncoMed alliance clearly demonstrates the success of this collaboration."

In June 2006, MorphoSys and US-based biopharmaceutical company OncoMed Pharmaceuticals announced the signing of a license agreement on the use of MorphoSys's HuCAL technology in the research and development of human therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of various cancers, including breast, lung, colon and prostate cancer, by targeting cancer stem cells. In June 2008, the collaboration was extended until the end of May 2010. The contract included an option for OncoMed to develop up to five HuCAL-derived therapeutic antibodies. OncoMed already has one HuCAL-based antibody, namely OMP-59R5, in clinical trials.

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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