MorphoSys

The company was founded in 1992. In 1999, MorphoSys listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "MOR".

In 2004, MorphoSys and Novartis entered into a strategic partnership for the research and development of biopharmaceuticals, which was expanded in 2007. Additional discovery partnerships included: Bayer (1999), Roche (2000), Centocor (now Janssen Biotech, 2000), Schering AG (2001) and Pfizer (2003).

In 2008, the company’s first proprietary antibody MOR103 (now otilimab) entered clinical development.{{Cite news|url=https://www.morphosys.com/pipeline/proprietary-product-portfolio/mor103|title=otilimab (MOR103/GSK3196165)|date=2014-10-27|publisher=MorphoSys|access-date=2018-06-23}} Following the publication of promising results in rheumatoid arthritis, MorphoSys signed a license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for otilimab.{{Cite news|url=https://www.morphosys.com/media-investors/media-center/morphosys-signs-global-license-agreement-with-glaxosmithkline-for-anti|title=MorphoSys Signs Global License Agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for Anti-Inflammatory Program MOR103|date=2013-06-03|publisher=MorphoSys|access-date=2020-04-29}} In 2019, GlaxoSmithKline initiated a phase 3 clinical development program with otilimab (now GSK3196165).{{Cite news|url=https://www.dgap.de/dgap/News/corporate/morphosyss-licensing-partner-gsk-initiates-phase-clinical-program-with-otilimab-morgsk-rheumatoid-arthritis-morphosys-updates-its-financial-guidance-for-news-with-additional-features/?newsID=1167509 |title=MorphoSys's Licensing Partner GSK Initiates Phase 3 Clinical Program With Otilimab (MOR103/GSK3196165) in Rheumatoid Arthritis|date=2019-07-03|publisher=dgap.de|access-date=2020-04-29}}

In 2010, MorphoSys signed a license agreement with [https://www.xencor.com/ Xencor Inc.] for MOR208 (now tafasitamab).{{Cite news|url=https://www.morphosys.com/media-investors/media-center/ad-hoc-morphosys-and-xencor-sign-license-and-collaboration-agreement |title=MorphoSys and Xencor Sign License and Collaboration Agreement for Clinical Antibody Program|date=2010-06-27 | publisher=MorphoSys|access-date=2020-04-29}}

In July 2017, the first of MorphoSys’ platform drugs received US marketing approval. Guselkumab (brand name Tremfya), which was developed and is being commercialized by Janssen Biotech a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, was first approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in the United States, the European Union and Canada.{{Cite web|url=http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=108225&sid=2|title=MorphoSys' licensee Janssen receives Japanese approval for Tremfya to treat moderate to severe forms of psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis|website=pharmabiz.com|access-date=2018-06-05}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20171013123222/https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/2017/761061Orig1s000ltr.pdf Guselkumab BLA Approval Letter]

In April 2018, following a US initial public offering in which the company raised $239 million, American depositary shares of MorphoSys began trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange, also under the symbol "MOR."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/about/press-center/nasdaq-welcomes-morphosys-ag-nasdaq-mor-nasdaq-stock-market|title=Nasdaq Welcomes MorphoSys AG (Nasdaq: MOR) to The Nasdaq Stock Market |date=2018-04-19|publisher=Nasdaq|access-date=2020-04-29}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.dgap.de/dgap/News/corporate/morphosys-announces-closing-nasdaq-ipo-through-ads-offering-and-exercise-the-underwriters-option-purchase-additional-adss-leading-total-gross-proceeds-usd-million-news-with-additional-features/?newsID=1067525 |title=MorphoSys Announces Closing of Nasdaq IPO through an ADS Offering and Exercise of the Underwriters' Option to Purchase Additional ADSs, Leading to Total Gross Proceeds of USD 239 million |date=2018-04-24|publisher=dgap.de|access-date=2020-04-29}}

In 2018, the company established a wholly owned US subsidiary, [https://www.morphosys.com/company/subsidiaries/morphosys-us-inc MorphoSys US Inc.].

In December 2019, based on positive clinical trial results, the company submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the FDA for tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dgap.de/dgap/News/corporate/morphosys-announces-submission-biologics-license-application-for-tafasitamab-dlbcl-the-fda-news-with-additional-features/?newsID=1251265|title=MorphoSys Announces Submission of Biologics License Application for Tafasitamab in r/r DLBCL to the FDA|date=2019-12-30|publisher=dgap.de|access-date=2020-04-29}} The submission was accepted for filing in February 2020, and a decision on the filing is expected in August 2020.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dgap.de/dgap/News/corporate/morphosys-initiates-expanded-access-program-for-tafasitamab-the-news-with-additional-features/?newsID=1270179 |title=MorphoSys Initiates Expanded Access Program for Tafasitamab in the U.S.|date=2020-01-13|publisher=dgap.de|access-date=2020-04-29}}

In January 2020, MorphoSys and Incyte Corporation signed a collaboration and license agreement for the global development and commercialization of tafasitamab.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dgap.de/dgap/News/adhoc/morphosys-hoc-morphosys-and-incyte-sign-global-collaboration-and-license-agreement-including-cocommercialization-and-exus-commercialization-rights-for-tafasitamab/?newsID=1256973 |title=MorphoSys and Incyte Sign Global Collaboration and License Agreement, including U.S. Co-Commercialization and Ex-U.S. Commercialization Rights, for Tafasitamab|date=2020-01-13|publisher=dgap.de|access-date=2020-04-29}} On March 3, 2020, the agreement received antitrust clearance and thus became effective.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dgap.de/dgap/News/corporate/morphosys-and-incyte-announce-antitrust-clearance-global-collaboration-and-license-agreement-for-tafasitamab-news-with-additional-features/?newsID=1286821|title=MorphoSys and Incyte Announce Antitrust Clearance of Global Collaboration and License Agreement for Tafasitamab|date=2020-03-03|publisher=dgap.de|access-date=2020-04-29}}

In March 2020, MorphoSys announced that the FDA had accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for filing and granted priority review for tafasitamab, setting a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of August 30, 2020.{{Cite news|url=http://mobile.dgap.de/dgap/News/corporate/fda-accepts-morphosys-biologics-license-application-bla-and-grants-priority-review-for-tafasitamab-and-lenalidomide-for-the-treatment-relapsedrefractory-dlbcl-news-with-additional-features/?companyID=184&newsID=1285131 |title= FDA Accepts MorphoSys' Biologics License Application (BLA) and Grants Priority Review for Tafasitamab and Lenalidomide for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory DLBCL |date=2020-03-02|publisher=dgap.de|access-date=2020-04-29}}

On July 31, 2020, Monjuvi (tafasitamab-cxix) was approved by the U.S. FDA in combination with lenalidomide for the medical treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, and who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).{{Cite news|url=https://www.dgap.de/dgap/News/adhoc/morphosys-hoc-fda-approves-monjuvir-tafasitamabcxix-combination-with-lenalidomide-for-the-treatment-adult-patients-with-relapsed-refractory-diffuse-large-bcell-lymphoma-dlbcl/?newsID=1380101 |title= FDA Approves Monjuvi(R) (tafasitamab-cxix) in Combination with Lenalidomide for the Treatment of Adult Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) |date=2020-08-01|publisher=dgap.de|access-date=2021-04-30}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/fda-grants-accelerated-approval-tafasitamab-cxix-diffuse-large-b-cell-lymphoma |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808063019/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/fda-grants-accelerated-approval-tafasitamab-cxix-diffuse-large-b-cell-lymphoma |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |title= FDA grants accelerated approval to tafasitamab-cxix for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma |date=2020-08-03|publisher=FDA.gov|access-date=2021-04-30}}

In June 2021, Morphosys announced its acquisition of clinical stage biotechnology company Constellation Pharma for US$1.7 billion.{{Cite news |last=Nathan-Kazis |first=Josh |date=2021-06-02 |title=MorphoSys Buys Constellation Pharma in $1.7B Deal. Is Biotech M&A Back? |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/morphosys-buys-constellation-pharma-in-1-7b-deal-is-biotech-m-a-back-51622645425 |work=Barron's}}

In February 2024, Novartis agreed to acquire Morphosys for €2.7 billion. In June 2024, Morphosys announced its intention to delist from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and merge into Novartis. The merger was approved in August 2024.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/novartis-acquires-cancer-drug-developer-morphosys-29-bln-2024-02-05/ |title=Novartis to acquire cancer-centric MorphoSys for $2.9 bln |date=2024-02-05 |agency=Reuters}}{{Cite web |title=MorphoSys and Novartis Sign Delisting Agreement and Intend to Implement a Merger Squeeze-out of MorphoSys’ Minority Shareholders – Company Announcement - FT.com |url=https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202406200247BIZWIRE_USPRX____20240619_BW218783-1 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=markets.ft.com}}{{Cite web |title=Merger Squeeze-Out of MorphoSys Minority Shareholders Approved at 2024 Annual General Meeting |url=https://www.morphosys.com/en/news/merger-squeeze-out-morphosys-minority-shareholders-approved-2024-annual-general-meeting |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Morphosys de |language=en}}

As of December 2020, MorphoSys had 116 drug candidates which are developed by MorphoSys and other pharmaceutical companies, 28 of which were in clinical development. Two antibodies developed by MorphoSys are already approved and marketed.

Tafasitamab (MOR208) is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD19 in clinical development for the treatment of B-cell malignancies.{{cite web |url=https://www.morphosys.com/pipeline/proprietary-portfolio/tafasitamab-mor208 |title=tafasitamab |publisher=MorphoSys}} Tafasitamab is being evaluated in several clinical trials, alone and in combination with other anti-cancer drugs.

Felzartamab (MOR202)is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD38 for the treatment of anti-PLA2R-positive membranous nephropathy, an autoimmune disease affecting the kidneys. In 2017, MorphoSys entered into a regional licensing agreement with [http://www.i-mabbiopharma.com/en/ I-Mab Biopharma] to develop and commercialize Felzartamab (called TJ202 by I-Mab) in Greater China.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dgap.de/dgap/News/corporate/morphosys-signs-regional-license-agreement-for-antibody-mor-with-imab-news-with-additional-features/?newsID=1040533 |title=MorphoSys Signs Regional License Agreement for Antibody MOR202 with I-Mab |date=2017-11-30|publisher=dgap.de|access-date=2020-04-29}} Felzartamab (MOR202/TJ202) is currently under investigation by I-Mab in three clinical trials.{{Cite news|url=http://www.i-mabbiopharma.com/en/Pipeline.aspx |title= I-Mab Biopharma's therapeutic pipeline|publisher=I-Man Biopharma}}

Otilimab (MOR103/GSK3196165) is a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against GM-CSF. The program is outlicensed to GlaxoSmithKline. Otilimab is currently under investigation in a Phase 3 trial in rheumatoid arthritis that started in July 2019.

On March 2, 2023, MorphoSys announced that the company would end its preclinical research programs and cease all related activities. According to the press release, this step is justified by challenges in the pharmaceutical market, which are forcing the company to optimize its cost structure and to focus all resources more on oncology products in the mid to late stage of development.{{cite news |url= https://www.morphosys.com/en/news/morphosys-stops-work-and-operations-pre-clinical-research-programs |title=MorphoSys Stops Work and Operations on Pre-Clinical Research Programs |access-date=2023-03-02}}

MorphoSys has discovered a number of antibody technologies that are use for drug development.

MorphoSys’ main technology is HuCAL (Human Combinatorial Antibody Library), which is a collection of more than ten billion fully human antibodies in the form of a phage display bank and a system for their optimization.{{cite web |url=https://www.morphosys.com/science/drug-development-capabilities/hucal |title=HuCaL |publisher=MorphoSys }}

Another technology recently developed is the OkapY bispecific antibody technology. MorphoSys’ OkapY technology is a new proprietary “2+1” bispecific antibody format with the hysicochemical properties to simplify the development and large-scale production of such molecules.{{cite speech |title=Engineering theMedicinesofTomorrow |author=MorphoSys |date=January 13, 2021 |location=J.P. Morgan HealthcareConference |url=https://www.morphosys.com/sites/default/files/phone-conferences/downloads/jpm_presentation_2021_morphosys_final_0.pdf |access-date=April 29, 2021}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.morphosys.com/}}
• [https://www.morphosys.com/company/subsidiaries/morphosys-us-inc MorphoSys US Inc.]
• [https://www.xencor.com/ Xencor Inc.]
• [http://www.i-mabbiopharma.com/en/ I-Mab Biopharma]
• [https://www.lanthiopharma.com/ Lanthio Pharma B.V.]

{{TecDAX companies}}

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Category:Biotechnology companies of Germany

Category:Biotechnology companies established in 1992

Category:1992 establishments in Germany

Category:Companies formerly in the MDAX

Category:Companies formerly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange

Category:Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq

Category:2024 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Companies based in Upper Bavaria