MorphoSys and OncoMed had entered into a license agreement in June 2006 to use MorphoSys’ HuCAL technology in the research and development of human therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of various cancers, including breast, lung, colon and prostate cancer, by targeting cancer stem cells.
Two years later, the collaboration was extended until the end of May 2010.
The contract included an option for OncoMed to develop up to five HuCAL-derived therapeutic antibodies.
OncoMed already has one HuCAL-based antibody, namely OMP- 59R5, in clinical trials.
MorphoSys chief scientific officer Marlies Sproll said this was their first clinical milestone in 2011 bringing the total number of clinical programs with partners to 16.
"The advancement of a second antibody program into clinical studies within the OncoMed alliance clearly demonstrates the success of this collaboration," Sproll said.