Martinsried-based MorphoSys and the US biotech company Celgene announced today a development cooperation about the anti-cancer drug MOR202. A part of the development of this fully human, monoclonal antibody was funded since 2010 by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the framework of the Leading-Edge Cluster m4. MOR202 is currently being evaluated in a phase 1/2a trial in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma. Partner of the m4 project is Prof Christian Peschel, Klinikum rechts der Isar (TUM). Besides the multiple myeloma, the drug candidate is to be developed against other types of blood cancer and further indications. The antibody is addressing the target molecule CD38, a membrane protein, which is highly expressed by malignant plasma cells.
In the strategic alliance of Celgene and MorphoSys, both companies share the development costs and aim for a co-promotion. This is the second substantial alliance based on the company-owned development programmes of MorphoSys, which have been advanced from the selection of the target until clinical development. Recently a similar cooperation about another MOR antibody was closed with GlaxoSmithKline.
To the m4 project of MorphoSys
To the press release of MorphoSys