MorphoSys expands antibody collaboration with Pfizer
MorphoSys has agreed an expansion of its therapeutic antibody collaboration with Pfizer Inc, until the end of 2011. Under the extended agreement, Pfizer has the option to begin new therapeutic antibody projects with MorphoSys. The deal virtually doubles the potential volume of programms to be performed within the collaboration.
As a result, the potential value for MorphoSys in research funding and potential developmental milestone payments increases to more than US$100m, not including royalties. Additionally, the extension triggers a one-off payment from Pfizer to MorphoSys. Further financial details were not disclosed.
The original cooperation agreement, signed in December 2003, was scheduled to end in December 2008.
Within the framework of the extended agreement, MorphoSys will continue to use its HuCAL GOLD library to generate therapeutic antibodies against multiple new targets from Pfizer. Pfizer will carry out the preclinical and clinical development and the subsequent marketing of resulting products.