MorphoSys signs deal with Galapagos

Germany's MorphoSys and Belgian drug discovery firm Galapagos have launched a long-term development alliance aimed at discovering and developing antibody therapies based on novel modes of action in bone and joint disease, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

The accord spans all activities from target discovery through to the completion of proof-of-concept trials. Galapagos will provide antibody targets implicated in bone and joint disease in addition to its adenoviral target discovery platform while MorphoSys will contribute its HuCAL technologies to generate fully-human antibodies directed against these targets. Following clinical trials, programs will be partnered for subsequent development, approval and marketing.

Galapagos and MorphoSys will share R&D costs, as well as all future revenues equally. Decisions will be made by a joint steering committee comprising members of both companies. An initial set of three targets has been selected for the collaboration, and Galapagos will begin the generation of antibodies in 2009. If successful, the first antibody programs based on these novel targets could enter the clinic within four to five years, the firms note.