Press Release

New preclinical data expand understanding of α4β7-expressing immune cells and MORF-057 dose response

Data support ongoing clinical development program in IBD

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Morphic Therapeutic (Nasdaq: MORF), a biotechnology company developing a new generation of oral integrin therapies for the treatment of serious chronic diseases, today announced the Digital Oral Presentation of new data at the 17^th Congress of European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) supporting the ongoing MORF-057 development program in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The data presented at ECCO characterized α4β7 expression of immune cells at single-cell resolution in blood and assessed the dose-dependent effect of MORF-057 administration in nonhuman primates. These studies recapitulated results from human clinical data including a clear dose-response accompanied with changes in circulating gut-homing T-memory cells and CCR9 transcripts corresponding with complete α4β7 receptor occupancy.

“The studies presented at ECCO increase the depth of understanding α4β7 inhibitor pharmacology and provide Morphic with increased confidence as we advance MORF-057 into Phase 2 studies,” commented Bruce Rogers. PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Morphic.

About the ECCO Data
The ECCO presentation encompasses results from dosing nonhuman primates with a broad dose range of MORF-057 across 5 independent studies. The pharmacodynamic effects of MORF-057 on blood-based biomarkers in nonhuman primates were similar to those in humans, including a saturable dose response corresponding with receptor saturation. These studies also assessed α4β7 integrin and chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) expression in blood from untreated monkeys using single cell RNA sequencing, providing novel insights into cell type distribution.
The ECCO poster is available on the Morphic website under the Investor tab.

Title
Oral α4β7 integrin inhibitor MORF-057 demonstrates exposure driven biomarker response in non-human primates
Presenter
Jamie Wong, PhD
Contributors
Dooyoung Lee, Maloy Mangada, Vinod Yadav, Dawn Troast, Cheng Zhong, Kristopher Hahn, Wei Wang, Xiaomei Ge, Lili Sun, Shihao Jiang, Lichang Yan, Binbin Wang, Jinfeng Zhang, Liping Yan, Hanh Nguyen, Dan Cui, Matthew G. Bursavich, Blaise Lippa, Bruce N. Rogers, and Adrian S. Ray

About MORF-057
Morphic is developing MORF-057 as a selective, oral small molecule inhibitor of the α4β7 integrin for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). α4β7 has been clinically validated as a target for the treatment of IBD by the success of the approved injectable antibody therapeutic vedolizumab. MORF-057 is designed to block the interactions between α4β7 on the surface of lymphocytes and the mucosal endothelial cell ligand MAdCAM-1, substantially reducing lymphocyte migration from the bloodstream into intestinal mucosal tissues and causing inflammation that is associated with IBD.

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 AbbVie, 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 “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, the execution of further preclinical studies, any expectations about safety, efficacy, timing and ability to commence or complete clinical studies and to obtain regulatory approvals for Morphic’s αvβ8 inhibitors and other candidates in development. Statements including words such as “believe,” “plan,” “continue,” “expect,” “will,” “develop,” “signal,” “potential,” 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 develop, 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