MorphoSys Acquisition Of Lanthio Pharma Diversifies Portfolio
Edison | May 18, 2015 04:06AM ET
Moving beyond antibodies
Morphosys' (XETRA:MORG) acquisition of Lanthio Pharma adds a promising product due to enter Phase I in 2016 and diversifies its portfolio beyond antibodies. The lead product MOR107 is being developed for nephropathy and fibrosis; large indications with limited treatment options available. MOR107 is also a lanthipeptide, which promises to combine the benefits of monoclonal antibodies and small molecules. The acquisition also positions MorphoSys as a leader in the field of peptide therapeutics.
Former partner bolted on
MorphoSys is acquiring the outstanding shares in Lanthio Pharma for €20m (it held 19.98% of the shares prior to the acquisition). MorphoSys formed a collaboration with Lanthio Pharma in November 2012 to develop Lanthio’s library of lanthipeptides (constrained or stapled peptides) and had previously invested €1.7m in the company. In October 2014, MorphoSys acquired Lanthio’s lanthipeptide technology platform, and by buying the remainder of the company it obtains a portfolio of four preclinical assets, with MOR107 (LP2) due to enter clinical development in 2016.
Lanthipeptides: Next generation biologics
Lanthipeptides are highly selective in their binding to other proteins, similar to monoclonal antibodies and have some of the characteristics of small molecules, because of their size (500-5,000Da vs c 150kDa for an antibody), such as being able to target intracellular proteins. Following the acquisition of Lanthio Pharma, MorphoSys has full control of this promising class of novel therapeutic products.
Lead product targeting major indications
MOR107 is a selective agonist of the angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor, which has potential in nephropathy and various forms of fibrosis (eg idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis). There are currently limited treatment options available for these major indications (market opportunity >$1bn), and preclinical studies suggest that MOR107 is well tolerated and has promising activity. We expect MorphoSys to conduct initial clinical trials with MOR107 and aim to out-license it after Phase IIa.
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