IZB-alumnus MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; NASDAQ: MOR) published in December important results from the Phase 3 MANIFEST-2 study evaluating pelabresib, an investigational BET inhibitor, in combination with the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib in JAK inhibitor-naïve patients with myelofibrosis. The results were presented as an oral abstract at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego, California.

Myelofibrosis is characterized by four hallmarks: an enlarged spleen, anemia, bone marrow fibrosis and disease-associated symptoms. In MANIFEST-2, all hallmarks were improved with the pelabresib and ruxolitinib combination versus placebo plus ruxolitinib. The dosing of ruxolitinib, which is the standard of care in myelofibrosis, was similar in both arms of the study and was determined based on its approved myelofibrosis indication.

Also in December, the company placed new shares with institutional investors by way of an accelerated bookbuilding, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately EUR 102.7 million. MorphoSys currently intends to use the net proceeds from the cash capital increase to support the ongoing clinical development of key pipeline programs to regulatory approval, accelerate launch preparations for pelabresib in first-line myelofibrosis, further strengthen its finances and for general corporate purposes.

“MorphoSys’ oncology pipeline offers promising value-creating opportunities, with pelabresib, our investigational BET inhibitor, at the forefront,” said Jean-Paul Kress, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys. “With pelabresib, we have the potential to shift the treatment paradigm in myelofibrosis, a field in dire need of innovation. These new investments will support our continued work to bring pelabresib to this patient community as quickly as possible, while simultaneously strengthening our finances. This is a clear commitment from leading institutional investors that believe in our strategy, growth potential, and momentum. We thank our partners and look forward to working together to meet cancer patients’ needs.”

Read more about MANIFEST-2 here.

MorphoSys develops innovative cancer medicines
At MorphoSys, we are driven by our mission: More life for people with cancer. As a global commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, we develop and deliver innovative medicines, aspiring to redefine how cancer is treated. MorphoSys is headquartered in Planegg, Germany, and has its U.S. operations anchored in Boston, Massachusetts. To learn more, visit us at www.morphosys.com and follow us on Twitter at X and LinkedIn.

About Pelabresib
Pelabresib (CPI-0610) is an investigational selective small molecule designed to promote anti-tumor activity by inhibiting the function of bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins to decrease the expression of abnormally expressed genes in cancer. Pelabresib is being investigated as a treatment for myelofibrosis and has not yet been approved by any regulatory authorities.

The development of pelabresib was funded in part by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society®.