AbD Serotec the research and diagnostic antibodies unit of MorphoSys AG (Martinsried/Munich, Germany), has reached an agreement with UCLB, the technology development company of University College London (UCL, London, UK) for access to a potent antiparathyroid hormone (PTH) antibody for diagnostic and research use.

The agreement provides AbD Serotec with worldwide exclusive access to a potent anti-PTH antibody, which forms the basis of an existing relationship between them and a leading diagnostic company, which markets clinical parathyroid hormone assays. PTH assays in other conditions provide clinicians with important information that assists in managing patients with abnormal calcium levels.

Parathyroid hormone is the most important regulator of calcium levels in the human body. When blood calcium becomes too low, calcium-sensing receptors in the parathyroid gland are activated and parathyroid hormone is secreted, thereby mobilizing calcium release from bone and suppressing calcium loss in urine.

Measurement of PTH is important in determining the cause of excessively high or low calcium levels. PTH assays are used as a routine clinical tool to detect decreases in plasma PTH levels after all diseased tissue has been excised, even while surgery is taking place. The test allows a more limited procedure by confirming complete removal of diseased tissue and it has reduced the need for repeated surgery.

Dieter Feger, head of AbD Serotec, said, "Our goal is to achieve a market-leading position in those areas we see as our sweet spots. In this particular case, the anti-PTH antibody sourced from our relationship with UCL has already allowed us to forge a first supply agreement with a leading diagnostic company. We have thus decided to expand this strong position and take an exclusive license for this product from UCLB."

MorphoSys is an independent biotechnology company that develops novel antibodies for therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications. The Company's HuCAL technology is one of the most powerful methods available for generating fully human antibodies.

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