Paper describes key insight into integrin conformation, overcoming critical drug development challenge
Company lauds Tim Springer, PhD, scientific founder of Morphic and Fu-Yang “Albert” Lin, PhD, first company employee
WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Morphic Therapeutic (Nasdaq: MORF), a biopharmaceutical company developing a new generation of oral integrin therapies for the treatment of serious chronic diseases, today recognized a pioneering publication in the journal Cell. This article describes the research that serves both as foundational understanding of integrin conformation to broadly inform integrin drug development and also served as the catalyst for the formation of Morphic Therapeutic.
The central biologic role of the integrin family of receptors has long been understood. The publication details the work that, for the first time though, solved a critical scientific and medical question of why particular integrin inhibitors might cause negative outcomes in clinical trials. The initial discovery was made by Dr. Albert Lin in the laboratory of Dr. Timothy A. Springer, Latham Family Professor, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, and came from understanding the importance of water molecules locking integrins into a closed inactive state as opposed to the open extended state that could result in negative effects.
“It is gratifying to see this pioneering work now published. Tim is an internationally recognized scientist and founder of Morphic, and I am proud of our partnership and grateful for his contributions to our Company, as well the fields of science and medicine,” commented Bruce Rogers, President of Morphic. “Today we also celebrate Albert Lin, whose insight led to this pioneering work and ultimately became our first employee. I have great admiration and respect for this achievement which has the potential for broad applicability across the integrin class.”
About the Cell Publication
The article entitled A general chemical principle for creating closure-stabilizing integrin inhibitors by Fu-Yang Lin, Jing Li, Yonghua Xie, Jianghai Zhu, Thi Thu Huong Nguyen, Yonghui Zhang, Jieqing Zhu, and Timothy A. Springer was published in the journal Cell 2022, Cell 185, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.08.008
About Morphic Therapeutic
Morphic Therapeutic is a biopharmaceutical company developing a new generation of oral integrin therapies for the treatment of serious chronic diseases, including autoimmune, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, fibrosis, and cancer. In collaboration with Janssen, and Schrödinger, Morphic is advancing its pipeline and discovery activities using its proprietary MInT technology platform which leverages the Company’s unique understanding of integrin structure and biology. For more information, visit www.morphictx.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to: the MInT Platform’s ability to discover drug candidates, Morphic’s plans to develop and commercialize oral small-molecule integrin therapeutics and any proposed timing thereof, the initiation, execution and completion of MORF-057 phase 2 clinical trials, any expectations about safety, efficacy, timing and ability to commence or complete clinical studies and/or trials and to obtain regulatory approvals for MORF-057 and other candidates in development, the timing of further data presentation and the ability of MORF-057 to treat inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis, or related indications. Statements including words such as “believe,” “plan,” “continue,” “expect,” “will be,” “develop,” “signal,” “potential,” “anticipate” or “ongoing” and statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, which, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause Morphic’s actual activities or results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including risks and uncertainties in this press release and other risks set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Morphic’s or a partner’s ability to complete a current or future clinical trial of any of our current or future product candidates, develop or obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize any product candidate, Morphic’s ability to protect intellectual property, the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the sufficiency of our cash, cash equivalents and investments to fund our operations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Morphic specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements or reasons why actual results might differ, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contact
Morphic Therapeutic
Chris Erdman
chris.erdman@morphictx.com
617.686.1718
