MorphoSys Signs Global License Agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for Anti-Inflammatory Program MOR103

MorphoSys AG / MorphoSys Signs Global License Agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for Anti-Inflammatory Program MOR103 . Processed and transmitted by Thomson Reuters ONE. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

MorphoSys to Receive Committed and Success-based Payments of up to EUR 445 Million and Double-digit Royalties on Net Sales

Conference call today at 5:00pm CET (4:00pm GMT/11:00am EST

MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) announced today that they have entered into a global agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop and commercialize MOR103. MOR103 is MorphoSys's proprietary HuCAL-derived antibody against GM-CSF, which has concluded Phase 1/2 development in mild to moderate rheumatoid arthritis.

Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will assume responsibility for all subsequent development and commercialization of MOR103. As part of the agreement, MorphoSys receives an immediate upfront payment of EUR 22.5 million. On achievement of certain developmental, regulatory, commercial and sales-based milestones, MorphoSys would be eligible to receive additional payments from GSK of up to EUR 423 million, in addition to tiered, double-digit royalties on net sales.

"This transaction is a major milestone for MorphoSys. Our goal was to secure an agreement with a company having the commitment and expertise to turn MOR103 into a successful drug, and in GSK we have clearly found such a partner. We hope this alliance will result in a significant return on investment for the MOR103 program and to become a major value driver for MorphoSys," commented Dr. Simon Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys AG.

"Today's announcement clearly illustrates our ability to take proprietary programs from target to clinical proof of concept and an attractive partnership. The pre-clinical and clinical data we have generated show that MOR103 has the potential to offer new treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis. We also believe that this molecule has potential in other indications as well. I'm delighted that with this agreement, MOR103 will progress to the next stage in its development," commented Dr. Arndt Schottelius, Chief Development Officer of MorphoSys AG.

MOR103 has concluded a Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers and a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in mild to moderate rheumatoid arthritis patients. Additionally, MOR103 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b dose-escalation safety study in multiple sclerosis. MOR103 is an investigational medicine that is not approved for use anywhere in the world.