A series of heat-stable HuCAL-based antibodies will be established as key components of novel diagnostic tests that are robust in tropical climates.

MorphoSys AG (Martinsried, Germany) announced today that its research and diagnostic antibody segment, AbD Serotec, has initiated a collaboration with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND; Geneva, Switzerland). FIND is a foundation that develops, evaluates, and accelerates the implementation of new diagnostic tools for poverty-related diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and sleeping sickness.

Using MorphoSys's proprietary HuCAL technology, AbD Serotec will identify heat-stable fully human antibodies specific for rapid diagnostic test applications for parasite detection. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Under the terms of the agreement, FIND receives the rights for the commercial use of heat-stable HuCAL-derived antibodies for in vitro diagnostics. AbD Serotec will participate in sales of diagnostic tests using such antibodies in industrialized countries. If concluded successfully, the collaboration could be expanded to cover other disease areas of relevance for FIND's objectives.

Currently, rapid diagnostic test applications allow detection of parasite antigens in a finger prick blood sample. But most commercial diagnostic tests are developed for storage and use at 25 ºC to 30 ºC. High disease burden countries usually have higher ambient temperatures, which can lead to test degradation especially when taking into account the need for delivery to relatively remote locations in the developing world.

Dr Giorgio Roscigno, FIND CEO said "We are very excited by our collaboration with AbD Serotec and the potential of introducing cutting-edge technologies in high disease burden countries. This can only lead to a more rapid impact on disease management in the field, where conditions are the most problematic. Although FIND is currently focused on diagnostic platforms for TB, malaria and sleeping sickness, numerous other infectious diseases may be diagnosed in the future using the same technological platforms."

MorphoSys is a biotechnology company whose goal is to establish HuCAL as the technology of choice for antibody generation in diagnostics, research, and therapeutic applications.

FIND, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is a not-for-profit Swiss foundation whose mission is to drive the development and implementation of accurate and affordable diagnostic tests that can be used as near as possible to where patients first seek care.

Related Links:
MorphoSys AG
AbD Serotec
Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics