Morphogenesis Inc. recently announced that one of its platform technologies, an investigational immunotherapy treatment for cancers, will be developed by Morphogenesis and Novartis Animal Health under an exclusive worldwide co-development and commercialization agreement entered into in November 2009. Through this agreement, Morphogenesis and Novartis will work closely together to advance the new platform technology to the companion animal market.

The agreement gives Novartis exclusive rights to Morphogenesis' proprietary canine and feline cancer cell lines as well as its patented cancer vaccine technology. Morphogenesis and Novartis will co-develop several canine cancer immunotherapies. Under the agreement, Morphogenesis will earn milestone payments and royalties as each vaccine is developed and commercialized.

Dr Patricia Lawman, CEO of Morphogenesis says, "We are happy to announce our relationship with Novartis Animal Health. Not only are they one of the premier companies in the world, we share the common objective of finding treatments for serious animal diseases where there exist significant unmet needs. The consummation of this agreement opens a new chapter for the future of Morphogenesis, Inc. and for therapeutic advances in canine cancer."

Incorporated in 1995 and based in Tampa, Florida, Morphogenesis is a privately-held emerging biotechnology company structured to serve the rapidly growing multi-billion dollar cell therapy, biologics and tissue engineering markets.