MorphoSys Partner OncoMed Publishes Data on HuCAL Antibody OMP-18R5
Preclinical Data Published in PNAS Demonstrates Potent
Anti-Cancer Activity of Antibody Targeting Wnt Pathway
MorphoSys AG's (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) partner
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals today announced that Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS)
has published online data demonstrating the potent anti-cancer
activity of OMP-18R5, a HuCAL antibody targeting the Wnt pathway,
in multiple preclinical human tumor models. OMP-18R5 is currently
in Phase 1 clinical testing.
The Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, which signals through the Frizzled
(Fzd) receptor family and several co-receptors, has long been
implicated in cancer. OncoMed researchers identified a novel
therapeutic approach to targeting the Wnt pathway with a monoclonal
antibody. OMP-18R5, initially identified by binding to Frizzled 7,
interacts with key Fzd receptors through a conserved epitope within
the extracellular domain and thereby inhibits canonical Wnt
signaling induced by multiple Wnt family members. In xenograft
studies with minimally passaged human tumors, OMP-18R5 inhibits the
growth of a range of tumor types and exhibits synergistic activity
with standard-of-care chemotherapeutic agents. These data are
published in the current edition of PNAS in an article entitled
"Wnt Pathway Inhibition via the Targeting of Frizzled Receptors
Results in Decreased Growth and Tumorigenicity of Human
Tumors."
OMP-18R5 was made using MorphoSys's proprietary HuCAL GOLD antibody
technology. The ongoing Phase 1 trial is being conducted in
patients with advanced solid tumors and is designed to assess
safety and pharmacokinetics, and to provide initial indications of
anti-tumor efficacy and the effects of OMP-18R5 on Wnt pathway
biomarkers. OMP-18R5 is part of OncoMed's collaboration with Bayer
Pharma AG.
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.
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.
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
investors@morphosys.com
Posted: July 2012
