MorphoSys Buys Constellation Pharmaceuticals for $1.7 Billion, Expands Cancer Portfolio

In a move to expand its cancer drug offerings, German biotech MorphoSys has entered into an agreement to acquire Cambridge, Mass.-based Constellation Pharmaceuticals for $1.7 billion.

Constellation is currently developing two lead product candidates: pelabresib, a BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) protein inhibitor; and CPI-0209, an EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) enzyme inhibitor. The candidates hold a wide range of therapeutic promise for patients with hematological and solid tumors, MorphoSys said.

Pelabresib has potential to be “a first- and best-in-class BET inhibitor” and is currently in a phase 3 clinical trial for myelofibrosis, a bone marrow cancer that disrupts the body's normal production of blood cells, the biotech said, adding that the EZH2 inhibitor is currently in a phase 2 study “with best-in-class potential” for treating hematological and solid tumors.