MARTINSRIED, GERMANY and MUNICH, GERMANY--(Marketwire - March 06, 2012) -
MorphoSys AG /
MorphoSys Completes Enrollment in MOR103 Phase 1b/2a Rheumatoid Arthritis
Trial
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Study Data Expected in Q3 2012
MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) announced today
the
successful completion of patient enrollment in its phase 1b/2a clinical
trial
evaluating MOR103, a HuCAL antibody targeting GM-CSF (granulocyte
macrophage-
colony stimulating factor). 96 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis
(RA)
have been randomized in the double-blind, placebo-controlled study at
various
clinical centers in Europe to evaluate the safety and preliminary signs
of
clinical activity of MOR103 when administered intravenously in multiple
doses.
Data from the trial will become available in Q3 2012.
"Within the past months, MorphoSys's entire proprietary portfolio has
advanced
significantly," commented Dr. Arndt Schottelius, Chief Development Officer
of
MorphoSys AG. "We currently have four proprietary programs in clinical
trials,
all of them targeting novel or better treatment options for severe diseases.
We
are well on track to expect a whole range of exciting news from our
own
development portfolio in the years to come. GM-CSF is strongly implicated in
the
pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Data
generated with an antibody targeting the GM-CSF receptor last year
provided
further clinical validation of the GM-CSF pathway in RA."
In addition to the RA study, MOR103 is currently being evaluated in
two
additional clinical trials. Patient enrollment in a phase 1b dose-
escalation
study in multiple sclerosis began in early 2012. A phase 1 pharmacokinetic
study
in healthy volunteers to evaluate a subcutaneous formulation of MOR103
will
recruit the final cohort shortly. Subcutaneous injection represents a
more
convenient route of administration for patients and the data will help
guide
dosing regimens for future clinical trials for MOR103.
In total, MorphoSys currently has four proprietary clinical programs
ongoing,
including MOR103 in RA and MS, as well as MOR202, a HuCAL antibody
targeting
CD38, in multiple myeloma and MOR208, an Fc-enhanced humanized
antibody
targeting CD19, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other B-cell malignancies.
About MorphoSys:
MorphoSys developed HuCAL, the most successful antibody library technology in
the pharmaceutical industry. By successfully applying this and other patented
technologies, MorphoSys has become a leader in the field of therapeutic
antibodies, one of the fastest-growing drug classes in human healthcare. The
company's AbD Serotec unit uses HuCAL and other antibody technologies to
generate
superior monoclonal antibodies for research and diagnostic applications.
Together with its pharmaceutical partners, MorphoSys has built a
Therapeutic pipeline of more than 70 human antibody drug candidates for the
treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease, to name
just
a few. With its ongoing commitment to new antibody technology and drug
development, MorphoSys is focused on making the healthcare products of
tomorrow.
MorphoSys is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol MOR. For
regular updates about MorphoSys, visit http://www.morphosys.com
HuCAL®, HuCAL GOLD®, HuCAL PLATINUM®, Ylanthia®,
CysDisplay®,
RapMAT® and arYla® are registered trademarks of MorphoSys AG.
This communication contains certain forward-looking statements concerning
the
MorphoSys group of companies. The forward-looking statements contained
herein
represent the judgment of MorphoSys as of the date of this release and
involve
risks and uncertainties. Should actual conditions differ from the
Company's
assumptions, actual results and actions may differ from those
anticipated.
MorphoSys does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements
as
far as the wording of the relevant press release is concerned.
Media Release (PDF):
http://hugin.info/130295/R/1591474/500206.pdf
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originality of the information contained therein.
Source: MorphoSys AG via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1591474]
