Morphotek receives NIAID grant to develop human mAb therapies against staphylococcal-derived pathogens

Morphotek(R), Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Corporation of North America, announced today that it was awarded $843,289 in funding from the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, to support the development of human monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies against staphylococcal-derived toxin(s).

Morphotek is applying its proprietary MORPHODOMA(R) antibody technology and experience to develop therapeutic monoclonal antibodies with the ability to bind and neutralize the toxic effects of staphylococcal-derived pathogens.

"We are extremely pleased to receive continued support from the NIAID to develop novel compounds that have the potential to treat against biowarfare pathogens and infectious disease," said Nicholas Nicolaides, Ph.D., President and CEO of Morphotek. "We hope that this grant may accelerate the pace of our discovery and development of antibody therapeutics that will ultimately benefit both pathogen-exposed adults and their families."

This grant represents the third annual increment of this cooperative agreement award that Morphotek has received from the NIAID for the development of therapeutic antibodies that target staphylococcal pathogens. This program is consistent with Eisai's human health care (hhc) mission to satisfy unmet medical needs of, and increase the benefits to, patients and their families.

Source: http://www.morphotek.com