Novartis transfers HuCAL antibody platform from MorphoSys

Novartis has completed the transfer of an antibody development platform from its collaborative partner MorphoSys.

The pharmaceutical company has paid a multi-million euro milestone fee to MorphoSys after internalising the HuCAL antibody platform at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, which is located in Basel.

Novartis and MorphoSys have been working together since December 2007 on the development of a number of promising new therapeutic programmes, which utilise HuCAL technology to generate fully human antibodies.

The deal is due to last for ten years and could be worth up to $1 billion (619.01 million pounds), with 35 different compounds currently being investigated under the alliance.

Dr Simon Moroney, chief executive officer of MorphoSys, said: "This news underscores Novartis' commitment to HuCAL and the ongoing success of our collaboration based on this technology."

Last month, Novartis announced the acquisition of Genoptix, a specialist in the field of haematology and oncology diagnostics.