Morphic Expands Research and Development Collaboration with Janssen Through Third Integrin Program
New program demonstrates breadth of MInT platform with the inclusion of activating antibodies against integrin targets
WALTHAM, Mass. , Jan. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Morphic Therapeutic (Nasdaq: MORF), a biopharmaceutical company developing a new generation of oral integrin therapies for the treatment of serious chronic diseases, today announced the expansion of its research and development collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Janssen), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. The collaboration expansion involves the initiation of work on a third integrin target, with the collaboration scope to include activating antibodies against this new target. The agreement was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation.
“Morphic’s unique understanding of the integrin receptor enables a wide variety of therapeutic development opportunities, and we are excited to expand our outstanding collaboration with Janssen to investigate new applications of our technology to discover novel antibodies of integrins,” said Bruce Rogers, Ph.D., chief scientific officer, Morphic Therapeutic. “Morphic’s goal is to create new integrin-targeted therapies for patients with serious diseases and we are grateful for Janssen’s expertise in this mission.”
Under the terms of the original collaboration agreement, Morphic will receive a milestone payment for initiating work on the third target. As part of the expansion any new product candidates will be subject to milestones and royalties.
About Integrins
Integrins are a ubiquitous family of receptors expressed on the surface of most human cells. Integrins are dimers comprising one α (alpha) subunit and one β (beta) subunit. Integrin signaling controls a wide range of cellular processes, including cell survival, cell cycle progression, immune system activation, cell differentiation, and cell migration. Aberrant integrin signaling contributes to a diverse array of human diseases, including each of Morphic’s focus areas of autoimmune diseases, fibrosis, and immuno-oncology.
About Morphic Therapeutic
Morphic Therapeutic is a biopharmaceutical company developing a new generation of oral integrin therapies for the treatment of serious chronic diseases, including autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, fibrosis and cancer. In collaboration with AbbVie, Janssen and Schrödinger, Morphic is advancing its pipeline and discovery activities using its proprietary Morphic Integrin Technology (MInT) Platform which leverages the Company’s unique understanding of integrin structure and biology. For more information, visit www.morphictx.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to: Morphic’s or our partners’ plans or ability to develop, obtain approval for any indication or disease and/or commercialize any oral small-molecule integrin therapeutics. Statements including words such as “believe,” “plan,” “continue,” “expect,” “will be,” “develop,” “signal,” “potential,” “anticipate” or “ongoing” and statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, which, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause Morphic’s actual activities or results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including risks and uncertainties related to Morphic’s ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize MORF-057, MORF-720, and other product candidates, the timing and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials, the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Morphic’s ability to protect intellectual property; and other risks set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Morphic specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements or reasons why actual results might differ, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contacts
Morphic Therapeutic
Chris Erdman
chris.erdman@morphictx.com
617.686.1718
Media Contact
Adam Silverstein, Ten Bridge Communications
adam@tenbridgecommunications.com
917.697.9313
