MorphoSys Licensing Partner GSK Starts Phase 2 Study with GSK3196165 (MOR103) in Hand Osteoarthritis

MorphoSys AG / MorphoSys Licensing Partner GSK Starts Phase 2 Study with GSK3196165 (MOR103) in Hand Osteoarthritis . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX; OTC: MPSYY) today announced that its licensing partner GSK has initiated a phase 2 clinical study to investigate the effectiveness and safety of GSK3196165 (previously known as MOR103) in patients with inflammatory hand osteoarthritis (HOA). GSK3196165 is a monoclonal antibody against GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) cytokine, a target molecule for a broad range of inflammatory diseases. The antibody was discovered and engineered by MorphoSys using its HuCAL technology and outlicensed to GSK in 2013.

The European multi-center phase 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled study will investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous injections of GSK3196165 in 40 adult subjects with inflammatory hand osteoarthritis. The main objective of the study is to assess the efficacy potential of GSK3196165 on pain in inflammatory HOA. Secondary objectives include the assessment of safety and pharmacokinetics of GSK3196165.

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes damage to the surface of joints in the body leading to joint pain and stiffness. In some patients it can adversely affect work and normal daily activities.

"We are delighted to see our licensing partner GSK moving GSK3196165 into a clinical phase 2 study designed to assess its efficacy and safety in inflammatory hand osteoarthritis, a chronic disease with high medical need", commented Arndt Schottelius, Chief Development Officer of MorphoSys AG. "In addition to an ongoing phase 2 study in rheumatoid arthritis, this is GSK's second clinical study with GSK3196165 in a therapeutically highly relevant indication. We are excited that our partner is further broadening the clinical development program with this HuCAL antibody discovered by MorphoSys."

About GSK3196165 (MOR103)
In 2013, MorphoSys outlicensed MOR103 (now: GSK3196165) to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Under the terms of the agreement, GSK assumed responsibility for all subsequent development and commercialization activities of the drug candidate. MorphoSys received an immediate upfront payment of EUR 22.5 million. On achievement of certain developmental, regulatory, commercial and sales-based milestones, MorphoSys will be eligible to receive additional payments from GSK of up to EUR 423 million to total, in addition to tiered, double-digit royalties on net sales.