Daiichi Sankyo extends MorphoSys accord

German synthetic antibody specialist MorphoSys AG says Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo has triggered its pre-existing option to extend the current collaboration between the two companies. The accord, originally signed in March 2006, was to end in March this year. Under the terms of the deal, which is now extended for up to three more years until March 2011, Sankyo will continue to use MorphoSys' proprietary antibody library, HuCAL GOLD, at its research site in Tokyo. The extension also includes an option to develop and commercialize up to six HuCAL-derived therapeutic antibodies, in which case MorphoSys would receive exclusive license fees and milestone payments, as well as royalties. The extension triggers an additional payment from the Japanese firm. Further financial details of the accord were not disclosed.