Daiichi Sankyo and Merck Expand Global Agreement to Include MK-6070
Tuesday, August 06, 2024
Daiichi Sankyo and Merck have expanded their global co-development and co-commercialisation agreement to include Merck’s investigational drug MK-6070.
MK-6070 targets DLL3, a high-level inhibitor of the canonical Notch ligand expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine tumours. It is currently being evaluated in a phase 1/2 clinical trial. The companies plan to test MK-6070 in combination with ifinatamab deruxtecan for certain SCLC patients, as well as other potential combinations. Merck acquired MK-6070 through its acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics.
This agreement, which previously covered three investigational DXd antibody-drug conjugates, now includes the DLL3-targeting T-cell engager MK-6070. The companies will jointly develop and commercialise MK-6070 globally, except in Japan where Merck retains exclusive rights. Merck will also be responsible for the manufacturing and supply of MK-6070.
Under the agreement's terms, Merck will receive an upfront payment of $170 million and has satisfied a contingent obligation from the original collaboration agreement. The companies will share R&D and commercialisation expenses and profits worldwide, excluding Japan, where Merck retains exclusive rights and Daiichi Sankyo will receive royalties based on sales. R&D expenses related to MK-6070 in combination with ifinatamab deruxtecan will be shared per the original agreement. Merck will generally record MK-6070 sales worldwide.
Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) is a Notch inhibitory ligand highly expressed in small cell lung cancer and other neuroendocrine tumours such as melanoma, small cell bladder cancer, and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. It is minimally expressed in normal tissues, making it a promising therapeutic target with multiple treatment approaches under exploration.
Source: daiichisankyo.com
