Novartis collaborates with biotech firm

Novartis has announced it is to collaborate with MorphoSys to work towards the development of antibody-based biologic therapies.

The agreement has been arranged for at least ten years, a period which Novartis can choose to extend by a further two years.

Dr. Mark Fishman, president of Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, said his organisation had been collaborating with MorphoSys for three years and is pleased to expand the alliance.

“This strategic agreement will further leverage MorphoSys antibody technologies with the internal biologics discovery and development capabilities of Novartis so that we can more rapidly and efficiently bring innovative biologic therapies to patients,” he added.

Novartis has been seeking to expand its position in biologics and established a dedicated unit earlier this year. Biologic therapies represent 25 per cent of its pre-clinical research portfolio.

Dr. Simon Moroney, chief executive officer of MorphoSys, said this is a “transforming deal” for his organisation.