The vision of Life Science Leader is to be an essential business tool for life science executives. Our content is designed to not only inform readers of best practices, but motivate them to implement those best practices in their own businesses.
Issue link: https://lifescienceleadermag.epubxp.com/i/250657
Biopharm Development & Manufacturing In December 2007, the two companies announced the deal that would create new opportunities for MorphoSys by reducing its reliance on fee-for-service deals for ongoing income and freeing it up to allocate more investment into proprietary drug development. The 2007 deal, which made MorphoSys Novartis' main technology collaborator in the area of antibody discovery and development, also allowed the biotech to gain experience in drug discovery and development within the security of an alliance. MOVING TOWARD FULL INTEGRATION It was deal making again, this time in June 2013, that allowed MorphoSys to set itself firmly on the route to becoming a drug development company rather than a service provider. In the firstannounced deal, validating its in-house pipeline of clinical-stage proprietary antibodies, MorphoSys signed an agreement licensing MOR103 to GSK. MOR103 is a fully human HuCAL antibody directed against GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor). It has completed a Phase 1b/2a in rheumatoid arthritis and is the first anti-GM-CSF antibody to have shown clinical efficacy in this disease. Based on promising preclinical data, MOR103 also has moved into a Phase 1b trial in multiple sclerosis. Under the terms of the agreement, MorphoSys will receive an up- front payment of €22.5 million (around $29.2 million) in a deal that could be worth up to €445 million (around $578.2 million), as well as tiered double-digit royalties. GSK will assume responsibility for all subsequent development and commercialization of MOR103. Perhaps more significantly, MorphoSys also announced a joint development deal with Celgene for MOR202, a fully human HuCAL antibody directed against CD38. This is in a Phase 1/2a in patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma, and also has potential in leukemias. MorphoSys and Celgene will collaborate on the development of MOR202 in multiple myeloma and other indications, with Celgene covering two-thirds of the development costs. Under the terms of the agreement, MorphoSys will receive an up-front license fee of €70.8 million ($92 million), and Celgene invested €46.2 million ($60 million) in MorphoSys. MorphoSys may also receive additional development, regulatory, and sales milestones, as well as a 50/50 profit share in its co-promotion territory and tiered double-digit royalties outside this area. The deal could be worth up to €628 million ($818 million). "These deals were turning points for us; they provided us with income and convinced our investors that we have the capabilities to develop our own pipeline of drugs, allowing us to raise the funding we needed," says Moroney. "Though we don't plan to initiate any new partnered programs, we will continue with our commitments to the www.burkert.com Ready. Set. Go. With our new Robolux valve block you are always one step ahead. By combining our established Robolux series with our robust ELEMENT stainless steel actuators, we have created a real winner with prime qualities: internal volume, dead volume and dead legs have been reduced to a minimum, making for easy cleaning and enhancing your plant's productivity. The compact design and small footprint save space, and the high degree of automation will allow you to clear any hurdle in your process. Take your marks! We make ideas flow. trollers | MicroFluidics | Mass Flow Controllers | Solenoid Control Valves February 2014 LifeScienceLeader.com 41