MorphoSys AG and Schering-Plough have extended their antibody collaboration for another year. The partnership, initiated in May 2006, may be extended by Schering-Plough annually until 2011.

The agreement grants SP continued access to MorphoSys's antibody library HuCAL GOLD at SP's research site in Palo Alto, CA, with options for therapeutic licenses. MorphoSys is eligible to receive license fees, plus milestone payments for antibody projects undertaken by SP that advance to clinical development, and royalties on HuCAL antibodies developed under the agreement. Under the extended agreement, MorphoSys continues to receive annual user fees for access to its HuCAL platform.

"We are pleased with Schering-Plough's decision to extend the current collaboration," commented Dr. Simon Moroney, chief executive officer of MorphoSys. "This demonstrates once more the continued commitment of leading pharmaceutical companies worldwide to our HuCAL technology for their antibody-based drug development programs."