Technology Background

MorphoSys has developed several new technologies relating to the generation of recombinant antibodies, which set the standard for how antibodies will be made in the future. These technologies provide rapid and direct access to fully human antibodies as research tools, diagnostics and therapeutics. Foremost among these technologies is HuCAL , the Human Combinatorial Antibody Library, a collection of more than 12 billion distinct fully human antibodies. Importantly, HuCAL antibody libraries possess features which enable systematic optimization of fully human antibodies - an essential differentiating feature compared to other human antibody generation technologies, and one which is of significant value. The latest and most powerful antibody library developed by MorphoSys is HuCAL GOLD , the fastest and most efficient version of the HuCAL antibody libraries. Augmenting the HuCAL antibody libraries are the MorphoSys-developed AutoCAL and AgX technologies, which allow for automated high-throughput antibody generation and high-throughput EST antigen expression, respectively.

How does MorphoSys develop antibodies?

The MorphoSys HuCAL antibody library is based on an established technology called phage display. This technology exploits the biological characteristic of bacteriophages. Phages are viruses that infect bacteria, and are completely harmless for humans. The bacteriophages contain the genetic information for antibody fragments and display antibody fragments on their surface. The antibodies displayed in this way maintain their natural binding characteristics and structure, and can bind to a corresponding antigen. During the selection process, only phages with fitting antibodies bind to the target molecules. Under this method, antibodies recognizing target molecules can be identified. As well as the antibody protein, the bacteriophages also contain the genetic information for the antibody and allow for the subsequent production of the selected antibodies.

HuCAL GOLD bacteriophage

The antibodies of the library are constructed in a modular, or “Lego”-like way, meaning that MorphoSys can quickly and easily remove and replace pieces of the antibody changing its binding affinity or its biological function, but without changing the overall structure that makes it human.