Daiichi Sankyo and Merck Expand Collaboration with $170M Upfront Payment to Co-Develop DLL3-Targeting T-Cell Engager MK-6070

Aug 06, 2024 21:55 CST Updated 21:55

Daiichi-Sankyo

Pharmaceutical R&D Developer

MSD

Pharmaceutical R&D and Manufacturer

On August 6, Daiichi Sankyo and MSD announced the expansion of their existing global co-development and co-commercialization agreement for three investigational DXd antibody-drug conjugates to include MSD's MK-6070, which targetsDelta-like ligand 3 (DLL3)T-cell engager. The two companies will co-develop and commercialize MK-6070 globally, except in Japan, where Merck Sharp & Dohme AG will retain exclusive rights.MSDWill be fully responsible for the manufacturing and supply of MK-6070.

MK-6070 is a T-cell engager targeting DLL3, an inhibitory canonical Notch ligand that is highly expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine tumors, and is currently being evaluated in Phase 1/2 clinical trials. The two companies plan to evaluate MK-6070 in certain small cell lung cancer patients along withB7-H3 ADC DrugThe combination therapy of ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) and other potential combination therapies. MSD acquired MK-6070 through the acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics. ($680 Million! Merck & Co., Inc. Acquires Harpoon Therapeutics）

Ken Takeshita, M.D., Global Head of R&D at Daiichi Sankyo, stated:"Expanding our oncology pipeline with the DLL3 T-cell engager further supportsDaiichi-SankyoA Strategy for Creating New Care Standards for Cancer Patients Worldwide. We look forward to continuing our relationship with MSD by adding MK-6070, as it aligns with our established antibody-drug conjugates.Drug"Collaboration, particularly with ifinatamab deruxtecan, offers potential synergies and demonstrates our shared commitment to advancing new medicines for patients."

Dr. Dean Y. Li, President of Merck Sharp & Dohme AG Research Laboratories, said:"Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive, rapidly growing form of cancer that urgently requires new treatment methods. We are pleased to be able to collaborate withDaiichi-Sankyo"Building on the collaboration, we look forward to evaluating the combination of MK-6070 and ifinatamab deruxtecan as a novel dual-targeting approach aimed at the underlying biology of small cell lung cancer and other cancers."

Under the terms of the agreement, MSD will receive $170 million in upfront cash and has fulfilled the contingent cash obligations under the original collaboration agreement. The two companies will share research and development as well as commercialization costs and profits globally, except in Japan, where MSD retains exclusive rights and Daiichi Sankyo receives royalties based on sales. Research and development expenses related to the combination use of MK-6070 and ifinatamab deruxtecan will be shared according to the original agreement for ifinatamab deruxtecan. Global sales of MSD’s MK-6070 are expected to reach record highs.

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