MorphoSys AG has announced that its fully owned subsidiary Lanthio Pharma B.V., Groningen, Netherlands, has initiated a phase 1 clinical study with MOR107. MOR107, a selective agonist of the angiotensin II receptor type 2, is a lanthipeptide based on Lanthio Pharma's proprietary technology platform and the first lanthipeptide in MorphoSys's clinical pipeline.

The goal of the trial is to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of subcutaneously administered single ascending doses (SAD) of MOR107 in healthy male volunteers. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 study will be conducted in a single center in the United Kingdom and will enroll 80-110 subjects.

Topline results of the study are expected in the second half of 2017.

"We are delighted to see the first lanthipeptide programme from our Dutch subsidiary Lanthio Pharma entering clinical development. MOR107 is the sixth program from MorphoSys's proprietary portfolio in clinical trials. The start of this innovative investigational programme reflects the growing value and maturity of our development pipeline", commented Dr. Marlies Sproll, chief scientific officer of MorphoSys AG.

"We are excited that with MOR107, the first compound from our technology platform has started clinical development", said Dr. Axel Mescheder, chief medical officer of Lanthio Pharma B.V. "Lanthipeptides are an interesting class of peptide molecules that have been engineered with the intention to further enhance stability and selectivity of this compound class."