Eisai subsidiary Morphotek and Champions agree research partnership

Eisai subsidiary Morphotek is to work with Champions Biotechnology on research into Morphotek’s monoclonal antibody portfolio for the oncology sector.

The deal will see Champions utilise its Biomerk Tumorgraft platform to gauge the efficacy of one of Morphotek’s antibodies either as a single agent, or as a combination therapy.

It is hoped that this research will help to provide data to support the future clinical development of the treatment, which is designed to target antigens expressed by tumour cells and tumour-associated cells.

Dr Luigi Grasso, chief scientific officer at Morphotek, said: “The Biomerk Tumorgraft platform has the potential to facilitate the prediction of sensitivity and resistance in the clinic and could play an important role in our oncology drug development.”

Last month, Morphotek’s parent company Eisai applied to the European Medicines Agency for approval of its new cancer treatment eribulin mesylate, based on positive findings from phase II and phase III clinical trials.