Ad-hoc | 30 July 2001 07:31

MorphoSys AG english

Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– MorphoSys achieves Second Milestone in GPC Biotech Collaboration MorphoSys (Neuer Markt: MOR) and GPC Biotech (Neuer Markt: GPC) today announced achievement of a preclinical milestone in GPC Biotechs immunology antibody program for the treatment of transplant rejection and Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD). GPC Biotech showed that a human antibody generated and optimised by MorphoSys from its proprietary HuCAL library had significant in vivo efficacy in a transgenic animal model. On July 19, 2001, MorphoSys and GPC Biotech announced in vivo efficacy of an antibody in their cancer collaboration. The milestone triggers an additional payment from GPC Biotech to MorphoSys. No financial details were disclosed.The fully human antibody generated by MorphoSys showed high affinity for the MHC class II target and was selected for in vivo studies because it efficiently suppressed human T-helper cell responses in vitro. A single injection of the antibody, administered to transgenic mice carrying the human MHC class II target molecule, was shown to efficiently suppress skin hypersensitivity reactions in these mice. GPC Biotech is currently assessing this antibody in transgenic mouse-based transplantation models. end of ad hoc announcement (c) DGAP 30.07.2001 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 663200; Index: Nemax 50 Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 300731 Jul 01