Merck Bets Big on Innovative Ophthalmic Drug with $3 Billion Acquisition of EyeBio

May 31, 2024 22:13 CST Updated 22:13

EyeBio

Ophthalmic Disease Therapeutics Developer

Merck Group

Pharmaceutical R&D Developer

Source: Siyu MedTech; Editor: Sophia

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On May 29, 2024, global pharmaceutical giantMerck (Merck & Co.,NYSE: MRK)AnnouncementAcquisition Focuses on OphthalmologyBiotech company EyeBio, Merck will pay $1.3 billion upfront and up to $1.7 billion in future milestone payments, bringing the total value to$3 billion (approximately 21.719 billion RMB)。

This acquisition has been unanimously approved by the EyeBio Board of Directors. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2024.

After the acquisition is completed, MerckAccelerate the Clinical Development of EyeBio ProductsAndCommercialization Process，This acquisition also reflects the broad trend of consolidation in the biopharmaceutical industry.

# BettingRestoret（EYE103）

EyeBio, which has been acquired, is developing a series of products for prevention and treatment.Therapy andVision Loss Related to Retinal Vascular LeakageMedications.Lead Candidate DrugRestoret（EYE103）Is aTetravalent Trispecific Antibody.

Applicable Symptoms

This drug is administered via intravitreal injection for the treatment of includingNeovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (NVAMD)、SugarDiabetic Macular Edema (DME)AndFamilial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR)Retinal diseases, including.

The main factors of retinal vascular diseases areBlood-Retinal Barrier (BRB) EncounteredDestruction and subsequent vascular leakage.

Microvascular leakage leads to edema (fluid accumulation), dysfunction and degeneration of the neural sensory retina, and loss of visual function.

Product Mechanism of Action

Restoret (EYE103) canBinding to receptors LRP5 and FZD4 simultaneously，Mimicking the function of the natural ligand Norrin,Activate the Wnt signaling pathway;
Wnt Signaling Pathway inRestore and Maintain the Blood-Retinal Barrier(blood retina barrier, BRB)Plays a crucial role.

▲Restoret can bind to different epitopes of the LRP5 receptor and FZD4 (Source: Official Website)

Research Data

In February 2024, the company disclosed the first human trial of Restoret.Phase 1b/2aWeek 12 Data from the AMARONE Trial. The data shows:

DME patients receiving Restoret monotherapy, as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT),Best-corrected visual acuity improved by an average of +11.2 letters, and retinal thickness decreased by an average of -143 micrometers;
Patients (n=5) with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD) who received Restoret in combination with aflibercept also observed similar results;
Taking Restoret multiple times a month (whether as monotherapy or in combination with aflibercept)Well Tolerated。

Restoret（EYE103）ExpectedEntering pivotal Phase 2b/3 clinical trials in the second half of this year。This will be a crucial step in evaluating its efficacy and safety, potentially bringing new breakthroughs to ophthalmic treatments.

# Recent Acquisition Layout of Merck

On April 5, 2024, Merck invested$208 million to acquire a company named AbceuticsSmall Startup。
Merck Group is developing medical technologyPayload Binding Selective Enhancers (PBSEs)Securing it in the bag, which has great application potential in the Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) field.

In January 2024, Merck Group for USD 680 millionAcquisition of Antibody Development Company Harpoon.
After the acquisition, Merck gained Harpoon'sT-Cell Engagers Development Program, further expanding its cancer drug pipeline.

On April 16, 2023, Merck announced that it would$10.8 BillionAcquisition of Prometheus Biotech Company,Strengthen its research channels and enhance itsAutoimmune Drug Combination。

In 2021, Merck Group for $11.5 billionAcquisition of Rare Disease Clinical-Stage Biopharmaceutical Company Acceleron Pharma, obtained aDrug for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Sotatercept 。
Merck Group PlansSotatercept is expected to be launched in 2024-2025, with sales estimated to exceed2 billionDollar.
In addition, Acceleron Pharma'sReblozyl Is a protein used to treat anemia in certain rare blood disorders, and will also increase Merck KGaA's revenue.

Will lose the key patent exclusivity for Keytruda in the U.S. in 2028In this context, Merck has never stopped enriching its product pipeline, reducing its reliance on Keytruda, and continuously seeking new growth opportunities.

# About EyeBio

EyeBio, founded in August 2021, is a clinical-stage ophthalmic biotechnology company developing next-generation therapies for eye diseases. It was founded by SV Health Investors, which also provided seed funding.

The company was co-founded by Dr. David Guyer and Dr. Anthony P. Adamis, who have a successful track record in the ophthalmology field, particularly in developing the first anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drug for treating age-related macular degeneration.

In 2022, EyeBio announced the completion of a $65 million Series A financing round, co-led by SV, Samsara BioCapital, and Jeito Capital, with additional funding support from MRL Ventures.

In November last year, EyeBio completed the extension of its Series A financing, bringing the company's total financing to 130 million U.S. dollars. New investors Bain Capital Life Sciences, Omega Funds, and Vertex Ventures HC joined the existing investors.

# About Merck Group

Merck & Co., headquartered in New Jersey, USA, is known as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) outside the United States and Canada. It is a global leading pharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of drugs, vaccines, and animal health products, and is one of the largest pharmaceutical enterprises in the world.

Revenue in 2022 was $59.283 billion, with approximately 70,000 employees globally. In 2023, Merck Group's total R&D expenditure rose to $30.5 billion, accounting for more than half of the company’s total sales in 2023.

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Editor-in-Chief | Zhao Qing Reviewed by | Yi He