Fusion IP owns the rights to 100% of the university-owned research generated at two of the UK's leading universities – The University of Sheffield and Cardiff University. These exclusive partnerships enable us to invest in some the world's most advanced and exciting science, turning world class research into business through the creation of a growing portfolio of companies, in fields as varied as drug discovery, alternative energy and engineering.
Fusion IP partner Absynth Biologics wins licensing and collaboration agreement from MorphoSys
University IP commercialisation company Fusion IP (LON:FIP) has said that its Sheffield-based biotechnology company Absynth Biologics has signed a licensing and collaboration agreement with MorphoSys AG.
The agreement is a part of MorphoSys’ new proprietary development program against novel infectious disease targets.
Collaboration with Absynth Biologics will provide MorphoSys with access to novel target molecules associated with Staphylococcus aureus infections including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
MorphoSys, which will be solely responsible for the development and partnering of the resulting compounds, will generate antibodies using its proprietary HuCAL PLATINUM antibody library which Absynth will test in relevant disease models.
Absynth will receive an upfront payment with further milestone payments and royalties.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.7 million hospital-acquired or nosocomial infections occur annually in the US alone, resulting in 99,000 deaths each year.
“This collaboration brings together Absynth's novel proprietary targets and expertise in S. aureus including MRSA and MorphoSys's expertise in the generation of antibody drugs. We see these new targets as a very promising basis of antibody therapy for an increasingly serious medical problem," said Chief Executive of MorphoSys AG Simon Moroney.
“The targets identified by Absynth represent a unique opportunity to generate value rather quickly and create out-licensing opportunities much earlier than in the areas of cancer and inflammation."
Absynth has filed patent applications on all targets involved in the collaboration.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Absynth is focused on the discovery and development of products for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. The company was founded in 2006 and based on discoveries from the University of Sheffield laboratories.
Fusion IP plc, previously called Biofusion plc, was established in 2002 to commercialise university-generated intellectual property. Fusion IP has signed long term agreements with the University of Sheffield and Cardiff University, giving a combined R&D spend attributable to Fusion IP of approximately £185 million a year.
