MorphoSys and OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Collaborate on Cancer Research

Strategic Insights

Jul 9, 2006 — 1 min read

MorphoSys AG, a German-based biotechnology company, and OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company, have entered into a license agreement to utilize MorphoSys's HuCAL technology in the research and development of human therapeutic antibodies for cancer treatment. This collaboration aims to target cancer stem cells, a newly discovered type of cell believed to be responsible for the growth and spread of cancers. OncoMed will gain access to MorphoSys's proprietary antibody library, HuCAL Gold, to develop therapeutic antibodies for breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancers. The agreement is set to last for two years, with an option for OncoMed to further develop HuCAL-derived antibodies.

Key Takeaways:

MorphoSys and OncoMed Pharmaceuticals have signed a license agreement to use MorphoSys's HuCAL technology for cancer research and development.
OncoMed will have access to MorphoSys's proprietary antibody library, HuCAL Gold, for a period of two years.
The agreement includes an option for OncoMed to develop HuCAL-derived therapeutic antibodies.
OncoMed has a library of antibodies and proteins capable of binding to cancer stem cell surface proteins to inhibit growth.
The company has completed a first round of funding with $14 million from venture capital firms in September 2005.
HuCAL Gold is an antibody library developed by MorphoSys utilizing in vitro generation of human antibodies with unique optimization capabilities.
The collaboration aims to target cancer stem cells for the treatment of various cancers, including breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancer.
OncoMed is focused on discovering and developing monoclonal antibodies and proteins to destroy cancer stem cells.

Statistics:

OncoMed has completed a first round of funding with $14 million from venture capital firms (September 2005).
The agreement between MorphoSys and OncoMed is set to last for two years.
HuCAL Gold is a proprietary antibody library developed by MorphoSys for the in vitro generation of human antibodies.

Sources:

Health & Medicine Week
NewsRx.com

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