MorphoSys Receives Research Grant to Advance Anti-CD38 Cancer Program MOR202 and Explore Relevant Biomarkers
Project is Part of Munich's Cluster Initiative "m4 - Personalized Medicine and Targeted Therapies"
MOR202 is a fully human, HuCAL antibody directed against CD38, a membrane-bound glycoprotein that is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of multiple myeloma and certain leukemias. In pre-clinical studies, MOR202 effectively killed cancer cells from primary patient tumor material and certain hematologic cancer cell lines. Furthermore, preclinical efficacy was shown by demonstrating inhibition of tumor growth in SCID-mouse xenograft tumor models. The program is expected to move into clinical trials in Q1 2011.
"We believe that MOR202 has a very competitive profile and distinct advantages over similar programs in the industry. As part of the research program with Klinikum rechts der Isar we plan to explore certain biomarkers for this new therapeutic approach, thereby further differentiating our program," commented Dr. Arndt Schottelius, Chief Development Officer of MorphoSys AG. "This grant supports the MOR202 program, for which we are on track to file a clinical trial application in Europe before the end of 2010."
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