MorphoSys Further Strengthens US Patent Position on Core Technologies
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MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) announced today that the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a new patent providing extended protection for the company's CysDisplay technology. The new patent (US 7,785,859) covers the host cells used in this enhanced phage display technology. Currently, the company is prosecuting more than 35 different proprietary patent families worldwide, in addition to about the same number of patent families being pursued in cooperation with its partners.
"Today's news marks yet another step in extending our strong intellectual property portfolio in key pharmaceutical markets like the US," commented Dr. Marlies Sproll, Chief Scientific Officer of MorphoSys AG. "We are committed to maximizing the patent protection on our core technologies, as these are essential value-drivers for the company."
CysDisplay is an improved version of phage display in which an antibody is linked to the surface of a bacteriophage via a disulphide bond. Recovery of the antibodies following screening of a library is then effected by reductive cleavage of the disulphide bond, ensuring that all specific binders are eluted independent of their binding affinity to the antigen.
About MorphoSys:
MorphoSys is an independent biotechnology company that develops novel antibodies for therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications. The Company's HuCAL technology is one of the most powerful methods available for generating fully human antibodies. By successfully applying this and other proprietary technologies, MorphoSys has become a leader in the field of therapeutic antibodies, one of the fastest-growing drug classes in human health-care. Through its alliances with some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, MorphoSys has created a pipeline of more than 60 drug candidates. The Company is expanding its drug pipeline by adding new partnered programs, and by building a portfolio of fully-owned therapeutic antibodies. For its proprietary portfolio, the Company is focused on the areas of oncology and inflammation. Its most advanced program MOR103, a first-in-class, fully human antibody against GM-CSF, is currently tested in a Phase Ib/IIa trial in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Via its business unit AbD Serotec, MorphoSys is expanding the reach of its technologies in the diagnostics and research markets. MorphoSys is headquartered in Munich, Germany and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "MOR". For further information, visit http://www.morphosys.com/
For more information, please contact:
MorphoSys AG
Dr. Claudia Gutjahr-Löser
Head of Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-122
Mario Brkulj
Senior Manager Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-454
Jessica Kulpi
Specialist Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-332
