Vivoryon And MorphoSys Link To Accelerate Novel Small Molecule Checkpoint Silencing Approach

Vivoryon CEO explains how QPCTL-targeting small molecule technology will be tested for combination with MorphoSys’s tafasitamab to enhance cancer-killing efficacy.

Security office center. Turnstile with card reader. Electronic checkpoint with a turnstile in the office center. Turnstile spinner. - Image — Technology aims to stop macrophage docking to cancer cell

MorphoSys AG plans to explore the potential for combining a new class of oral small-molecule compounds targeting the QPCTL enzyme with its own Phase II/III anti-CD19 antibody tafasitamab (MOR208), which is in development for the treatment of lymphoma. It has obtained an exclusive option to license the compounds in the field of oncology from fellow German company Vivoryon Therapeutics (until last month known as Probiodrug AG), which has already brought one of the compounds to Phase IIa for Alzheimer’s disease.

In return for the option, MorphoSys has committed to investing up to €15m in a minority stake in Vivoryon in...