PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- DSM Biologics and MorphoSys AG today announced the signing of a Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Agreement covering process development and cGMP manufacturing of MOR202. MOR202 is a fully human HuCAL(R) antibody, directed against CD38, a promising target for the treatment of multiple myeloma. DSM Biologics will manufacture MOR202 in its cGMP facilities in Groningen, the Netherlands. Further financial details on this agreement were not disclosed.
"Based on the positive experiences we have gained with the PER.C6(R) cell line and DSM's manufacturing capabilities within our MOR103 lead program, we have chosen to continue to use this platform for MOR202," commented Dr. Marlies Sproll, Chief Scientific Officer of MorphoSys.
"We are very pleased that MorphoSys is extending its business partnership with DSM Biologics as their preferred manufacturing partner after our highly successful collaboration on the MOR103 program," says Marcel Lubben, VP Marketing & Sales at DSM Biologics. "It is exciting how well the combination of our two strong platforms works for fully human antibodies," Lubben added.
About PER.C6(R) Technology
Crucell's PER.C6(R) technology platform has been developed for the large-scale manufacture of biopharmaceutical products such as recombinant proteins including monoclonal antibodies. Compared to conventional production technologies, the strengths of PER.C6(R) technology lie in its excellent safety profile, scalability and productivity under serum-free culture conditions.
About DSM Biologics
DSM Biologics, a business unit of DSM Pharmaceutical Products, is a leading provider of manufacturing technology & services to the biopharmaceutical industry. In addition to offering world-class biopharmaceutical manufacturing services, DSM Biologics has co-exclusive rights, along with Dutch biotech company Crucell N.V., to license the high-producing PER.C6(R) human cell line as a production platform for recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies. DSM Biologics' FDA-approved facility in Groningen, the Netherlands was established in 1986, and has a strong track record in using a broad range of cell lines (PER.C6(R), CHO, hybridoma, etc.) in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and has a wide-range of experience using multiple manufacturing (batch, fed-batch and continuous perfusion) and purification techniques. The combination of the PER.C6(R) human cell line and DSM's manufacturing services provides companies with a turn-key biologic manufacturing solution reducing cost, risk and time to market. For more information, please visit www.dsmbiologics.com.
About DSM Pharmaceutical Products
DSM Pharmaceutical Products is a global provider of high quality custom contract manufacturing and development services to the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. DSM Pharmaceutical Products contract manufacturing services including: chemical development, registered intermediates and starting materials, active ingredients (API's), mammalian cell production of monoclonal antibodies and proteins, formulation development, Clinical trial manufacturing and finished dose form manufacturing of solids, semi-solids, and scheduled drugs, aseptic liquid and lyophilized products.
DSM - the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company
DSM creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM's products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrics and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual sales of almost EUR 8.8 billion and employs some 23,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of the management of DSM and Crucell and information currently available to both companies. The statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore DSM and Crucell do not guarantee that their expectations will be realized. Furthermore, DSM and Crucell have no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release.
Crucell has identified certain important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. For information relating to these factors please refer to the Form 20-F, as filed by Crucell with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 13, 2007, and the section entitled "Risk Factors". Crucell prepares its financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP) and Europe (IFRS).
CONTACT: Karen King, President of DSM Biologics, +1-973-257-8427,
Karen.King@dsm.com; or Marcel Lubben, Vice President of Marketing, Sales &
NBD for DSM Biologics, +31-(0)46-477 3343, marcel-m.lubben@dsm.com
Web site: http://www.dsmbiologics.com/