MorphoSys and Immatics Biotechnologies sign immuno-oncology agreement
To develop antibody based therapies against multiple cancers
German firms MorphoSys and Immatics Biotechnologies have formed an alliance to generate novel antibody-based therapeutics against multiple proprietary cancer antigens recognised by T cells.
Under the collaboration, MorphoSys will gain access to several proprietary tumour-associated peptides (TUMAPs) discovered using Immatics’ XPresident platform and will develop antibody-based therapeutics against these targets in a number of solid and haematological cancers. Xpresident enables access to novel antibody targets associated with proteins that are present inside cancer cells.
In return, Immatics will be provided with MorphoSys’ Ylanthia antibodies against a number of its TUMAPs, with proprietary development rights.
We believe this collaboration will create several unique product opportunities for us
The companies will pay each other milestones based on their respective development progress as well as royalties on marketed products.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
MorphoSys' Chief Scientific Officer Dr Marlies Sproll said: 'This alliance opens up the intracellular target space for us and thus complements the therapeutic approaches we use in other oncology programmes. We believe this collaboration will create several unique product opportunities for us based on truly differentiated compounds.'
Dr Harpreet Singh, Chief Scientific Officer of Immatics Biotechnologies, added: 'The combination of MorphoSys’ outstanding capabilities to create antibodies and the unique access to intracellular targets through our XPresident discovery engine provides both partners the opportunity to jointly deliver the next generation of transforming antibody drugs for cancer patients with high unmet medical need.'