IZB alumnus MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; NASDAQ: MOR), announced in early December that its fully owned subsidiary Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has entered into a global licensing agreement with Novartis to research, develop and commercialize its pre-clinical inhibitors of a novel cancer target. This program was added to MorphoSys’ research portfolio following its acquisition of Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

“We are pleased that our trusted and long-standing collaborator Novartis will continue to drive this program forward. Novartis has strong medicinal chemistry, oncology development and translational research capabilities to realize the full potential of this novel cancer target,” said Jean-Paul Kress, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys. “At MorphoSys, we will continue to focus our resources on driving our late- and mid-stage oncology pipeline forward, which has the potential to enhance the standard and quality of care in difficult-to-treat and debilitating types of blood cancers.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will assume full responsibility for all subsequent research, development, and commercialization activities for the program. As part of the agreement, MorphoSys receives an immediate upfront payment of 23 million US dollars. On achievement of development, regulatory and commercial milestones, MorphoSys will be eligible to receive milestone payments from Novartis in addition to mid-single- to low-double-digit royalties on program net sales.

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 use groundbreaking science and technologies to discover, develop, and deliver innovative cancer medicines to patients. 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.