Nov. 12 Quick Takes: MorphoSys, UCB bring in new tech via deals; plus Cevec-Roche, Bridge-BI, Affimed-Roivant, Insilico-J&J, TCR2-ElevateBio
A Cherry in MorphoSys’ hunt for new tech
MorphoSys AG (Xetra:MOR; NASDAQ:MOR) entered an exclusive licensing agreement with University Hospital Würzburg spinout Cherry Biolabs GmbH for access to its Hemibody platform to discover and develop T cell engaging therapeutics against up to six undisclosed targets. MorphoSys’ CEO Jean-Paul Kress told BioCentury in September that the German mAb company was looking to expand into new modalities and formats for therapeutics. Financial details were not disclosed.
Pair of deals helps UCB expand gene therapy footprint
UCB S.A. (Euronext:UCB) gained two gene therapy programs in research and an adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid technology for neurodegenerative diseases via the acquisition of fellow Belgian company Handl Therapeutics B.V. UCB also entered an R&D deal with University of Florida spinout Lacerta Therapeutics Inc. to gain access to a gene therapy program and expertise in AAV-based CNS targeted gene therapies. Details were not disclosed...