History
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.[1] 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.[5] Following the publication of promising results in rheumatoid arthritis, MorphoSys signed a license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for otilimab.[6] In 2019, GlaxoSmithKline initiated a phase 3 clinical development program with otilimab (now GSK3196165).[7]
In 2010, MorphoSys signed a license agreement with Xencor Inc. for MOR208 (now tafasitamab).[8]
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.[9][10]
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 under the symbol "MOR."[11][12]
In 2018, the company established a wholly owned US subsidiary, MorphoSys US Inc.[2]
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.[13] The submission was accepted for filing in February 2020, and a decision on the filing is expected in August 2020.[14]
In January 2020, MorphoSys and Incyte Corporation signed a collaboration and license agreement for the global development and commercialization of tafasitamab.[15] On March 3, 2020, the agreement received antitrust clearance and thus became effective.[16]
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.[17]
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).[18][19]
In June 2021, MorphoSys announced its acquisition of clinical stage biotechnology company Constellation Pharma for US$1.7 billion.[20]
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.[21][22][23]
