Corporate | 22 January 2002 07:58

MorphoSys AG english

MorphoSys Hires Key Members of Clinical Development Team Corporate-news announcement sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– MorphoSys AG (Neuer Markt: MOR), the German biotechnology company announced today that the core of its newly formed preclinical and clinical development team is now fully staffed and operational. Heading the team is Axel Mescheder, M.D. who in his function as Medical Director and Head of Clinical Research and Development, will report to Dr. Thomas von Rueden, Chief Scientific Officer of MorphoSys. The development team reporting to Dr. Mescheder is currently composed of a Head of PreClinical Development, Head of Clinical Operations and a clinical scientist. The new Clinical Research and Development team brings to MorphoSys many years of biological drug development experience acquired in international pharmaceutical companies. As such the team will form the core group developing the future products emerging from the Company’s proprietary drug development efforts. Axel Mescheder, M.D., joins MorphoSys from Genetics Institute/Wyeth-Ayerst Research, Martinsried/Germany, where he served as the Director of Clinical Research and Development. At Genetics Institute, Dr. Mescheder established the Institute’s clinical research and development team conducting clinical studies in Europe. The development work focused on monoclonal antibodies and cytokines, and emphasized the indications of immunology, infectiology and gastroenterology in studies through Phase II. Prior to Genetics Institute, Dr. Mescheder worked at Aventis (Centeon) as head of the “Critical Care” unit. His responsibilities included the medical management of a global Phase III biological product study in which patients from more than 200 medical centers around the world participated. Prior to this position, Dr. Mescheder worked for Hoffmann-La Roche in various management positions. As Medical and Product Manager, Dr. Mescheder played a key role in the successful introduction of Interferon alpha used in the treatment of chronic viral Hepatitis C. Dr. Mescheder received his M.D. at the Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel, Germany, specialising in pharmacology and toxicology. Residency and training in clinical pharmacology and internal medicine was obtained at the 1st Medical University Hospital in Kiel, Germany. “MorphoSys is at the forefront of fully human antibody technologies capable of producing the next generation of antibody therapeutics”, said Dr. Mescheder. “These are exciting times at MorphoSys as it begins to establish its proprietary antibody product pipeline, and I look forward to leading the Company’s efforts in establishing the same and building on this vision”. “The establishment of a MorphoSys clinical research and development team of the caliber we have, highlights the commitment and importance we attach to the Company’s evolution to its next stage of development.” stated Dr. Thomas von Rueden, Chief Scientific Officer, MorphoSys AG. “I am very pleased that MorphoSys has been able to attract a top research and development group with the significant depth and experience we have, and remain confident of meeting any challenges that lie ahead”. end of message, (c)DGAP 22.01.2002