UCL seals licensing deal with MorphoSys

UCL Business has signed an exclusive license with AbD Serotec, the research and diagnostic antibodies unit of German antibody specialist Morphosys.

The agreement provides AbD Serotec with worldwide exclusive access to an anti-parathryroid (anti-PTH) antibody for commercial use in research and diagnostic applications. The anti-PTH antibody forms the basis of an existing relationship between AbD Serotec and a leading diagnostic company which markets clinical parathyroid hormone assays.

Parathyroid hormone is the most important regulator of calcium levels in humans. When blood calcium becomes too low, calcium-sensing receptors in the parathyroid gland are activated and parathyroid hormone is secreted, thereby mobilising 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. High levels may be due to a parathyroid gland tumour, which is usually benign (primary hyperparathyroidism) or secondary hyperparathyroidism, which is usually a result of kidney failure. Low levels may be the result of a failure of the parathyroid gland.

In primary hyperparathyroidism the parathyroid tumour must be removed. PTH assays are used as a routine clinical tool to detect decreases in plasma PTH levels after all diseased tissue has been excised, even whilst surgery is taking place. The test allows a more limited procedure by confirming complete removal of diseased tissue and has reduced the need for repeated surgery.

PTH assays in other conditions provide clinicians with important information that assists in managing patients with abnormal calcium levels.

“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,” said Dieter Feger, Head of AbD Serotec.