Martinsreid/Munich, Germany and Mechelen, Belgium; 23 July 2014 - MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX; OTC: MPSYY) and Galapagos NV (Euronext: GLPG; OTC: GLPYY) announced today that the first program from their strategic alliance has advanced into preclinical development. MOR106 was realized based on a novel Galapagos target and MorphoSys’ next-generation antibody library Ylanthia and will now be jointly developed in inflammatory diseases.
“It is gratifying that the first development program from our alliance with Galapagos has entered the preclinical development stage. The novel mode of action for MOR106 remains undisclosed. Furthermore, we are applying Ylanthia in a growing number of existing and new alliances and an increasing proportion of our pipeline is based on this next-generation platform,” commented Dr. Marlies Sproll, Chief Scientific Officer of MorphoSys AG.
“Our SilenceSelect target discovery platform delivered the novel target against which this antibody is directed. MOR106 is the first antibody in the pipeline of Galapagos, and we are excited to develop this program further in close collaboration with our friends at MorphoSys,” commented Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of Galapagos.
MOR106 arises from the alliance initiated by Galapagos and MorphoSys in 2008, in which both companies contribute their core technologies and expertise. Galapagos provides the disease-related biology including the target and cellular assays. The targets are discovered using Galapagos’ SilenceSelect adenoviral target discovery platform. MorphoSys contributes its Ylanthia antibody technology to generate fully human antibodies directed against the target. Galapagos and MorphoSys will continue to share equally the research and development costs, as well as all future revenues.
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. Together with its pharmaceutical partners, MorphoSys has built a therapeutic pipeline of more than 80 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.
About Galapagos
Galapagos (Euronext: GLPG; OTC: GLPYY) is specialized in novel modes-of-action, with a large pipeline comprising five Phase 2 studies (two led by GSK), two Phase 1 studies, four pre-clinical, and 20 discovery small-molecule and antibody programs in cystic fibrosis, inflammation, antibiotics, metabolic disease, and other indications. In the field of inflammation, AbbVie and Galapagos signed a worldwide license agreement whereby AbbVie will be responsible for further development and commercialization of GLPG0634 after Phase 2B. GLPG0634 is an orally-available, selective inhibitor of JAK1 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and potentially other inflammatory diseases, currently in Phase 2B studies in RA and in Phase 2 in Crohn’s disease. Galapagos has another selective JAK1 inhibitor in Phase 2 in ulcerative colitis and psoriasis, GSK2586184 (formerly GLPG0778, in-licensed by GlaxoSmithKline in 2012). GLPG0974 is the first inhibitor of FFA2 to be evaluated clinically for the treatment of IBD; this program has completed a Proof-of-Concept Phase 2 study. GLPG1205 is a first-in-class molecule that targets inflammatory disorders and has completed Phase 1. GLPG1690 is a first-in-class compound that targets pulmonary diseases and is currently in a Phase 1 study. AbbVie and Galapagos signed an agreement in CF whereby they work collaboratively to develop and commercialize oral drugs that address two mutations in the CFTR gene, the G551D and F508del mutation. Potentiator GLPG1837 is at the pre-clinical candidate stage. The Galapagos Group, including fee-for-service subsidiary Fidelta, has around 400 employees, operating from its Mechelen, Belgium headquarters and facilities in The Netherlands, France, and Croatia. Further information at: www.glpg.com
For more information, please contact:
MorphoSys AG
Dr. Claudia Gutjahr-Löser
Head of Corporate Communications & IR
Mario Brkulj
Associate Director Corporate Communications & IR
Alexandra Goller
Specialist Corporate Communications & IR
Jessica Rush
Specialist Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-404
investors@morphosys.com
Galapagos NV
Elizabeth Goodwin,
Head of Corporate Communications & IR
Tel. +31 6 2291 6240
ir@glpg.com
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