HuCAL-derived is a fully human antibody in the therapeutic area of musculoskeletal diseases.
MorphoSys said that in 2010 between four and six partnered programs could enter clinical trials. With the recently announced in-licensing of an Fc-engineered antibody against CD19 from Xencor.
MorphoSys is now expecting up to 15 proprietary and partnered antibody programs to be in clinical trials including at least four programs in Phase 2 clinical trials by end of the year.
Marlies Sproll, chief scientific officer of MorphoSys, said: “Therapeutic antibodies based on our technologies will be our main value driver in the years ahead and we expect our pipeline to continue to expand and mature.
“At the end of 2010, we expect MorphoSys to be participating in almost 80 unique product opportunities.Today’s news represents the third antibody to enter clinical development from our collaboration with Novartis and the second HuCAL- derived antibody to enter clinical development this year.”