Daguo Biologics and MSD Announce Clinical Collaboration to Co-Develop Novel Molecular Glue Degraders for Oncology

Hangzhou and Shanghai, China, May 12, 2026 — Degron Therapeutics (“Degron”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the development of molecular glue degrader drugs, announced today that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with MSD R&D (China) Co., Ltd. (“MSD”) to jointly advance the clinical collaborative development of anti-tumor therapies.

Degron Therapeutics was founded in 2021 by Professor Cang Yong, a professor at ShanghaiTech University and co-founder of the company. The company has built its molecular glue degrader drug discovery platform, GlueXplorer, from the ground up.^®Degron Therapeutics has currently established a library of over 10,000 structurally differentiated molecular glue degrader compounds, covering more than 150 novel non-IMiD core scaffolds. By integrating multiple complementary screening and validation methods, the company has built a series of R&D pipelines targeting important pathogenic proteins that have long been difficult to effectively intervene with traditional small-molecule drugs. In addition to advancing its internal pipeline, Degron Therapeutics continues to collaborate with leading global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to expand the development of molecular glue degraders across multiple therapeutic areas, including an ongoing R&D collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company based on novel targets.

Dr. Zou Lihui, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Degron Therapeutics, stated, “We are delighted to partner with Merck & Co., Inc. (known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada) to jointly advance the clinical development of Degron Therapeutics’ novel molecular glue degrader-based anti-cancer therapeutics. This collaboration fully validates the scientific value and clinical potential of our innovative programs. Leveraging Merck’s extensive experience and leading capabilities in clinical development and oncology, we look forward to accelerating the development of breakthrough therapies and continuing our mission to improve patient health and benefit patients worldwide.”

As a key innovative initiative within Merck’s global R&D operations, the MSD R&D China Innovation Collaboration Center (MCICC) was officially established in 2024. Dedicated to building an open, agile, and efficient platform for innovation collaboration, MCICC focuses on high-potential projects in the early stages of research and development. By integrating Merck’s global scientific resources with the advantages of China’s local innovation ecosystem, the center aims to bring more “China-originated” achievements to patients worldwide, saving lives and improving quality of life. Currently, Merck’s China R&D headquarters is located in Beijing, with additional R&D teams based in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Wuhan. These teams focus primarily on oncology, vaccines, anti-infectives, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, respiratory diseases, immunology, neuroscience, and ophthalmology. Oncology research projects cover more than 20 types of cancer, including several that are highly prevalent in China. To date, Merck has introduced over 80 innovative medicines, vaccines, new indications, and companion diagnostics into China, continuously meeting the clinical needs of local patients.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Degron Therapeutics to jointly explore the potential of novel molecular glue degraders in oncology,” said Dr. Li Zhengqing, Senior Vice President of Merck & Co., Inc., and President of its China R&D Center. “Degron Therapeutics has demonstrated impressive innovation capabilities in molecular glue discovery and targeted protein degradation. We look forward to leveraging our respective strengths to accelerate the clinical development of innovative drug candidates, bringing more breakthrough treatment options to patients worldwide.”

Degron Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel therapeutics to benefit human health through its molecular glue-based targeted protein degradation drug discovery platform. The company’s unique GlueXplorer^®The platform encompasses a rapidly expandable, IP-protected compound library and screening system for the development of a novel class of small-molecule drugs targeting critical disease targets, including those previously considered undruggable. Degron Therapeutics has advanced its self-developed, first-in-class (FIC) molecular glue degrader project to obtain Investigational New Drug (IND) approval in both the United States and China, entering the clinical development stage. The company’s R&D pipeline is continuously expanding, covering multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, inflammation, metabolic diseases, and rare diseases. Degron Therapeutics maintains offices in Shanghai and Hangzhou, China, as well as in San Diego, USA.

MSD China’s R&D headquarters is located in Beijing, with research teams based in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Wuhan. Its research focuses on oncology, vaccines, anti-infectives, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, respiratory diseases, immunology, neuroscience, and ophthalmology. Oncology research projects cover more than 20 types of cancer, including several that are highly prevalent in China. To date, MSD has introduced over 80 innovative medicines, vaccines, new indications, and companion diagnostics into China, continuously meeting the clinical needs of local patients.

The MSD R&D China Innovation Collaboration Center (MCICC) was officially established in 2024, dedicated to building an open, agile, and efficient platform for innovative collaboration. Focusing on high-potential projects in the early stages of research and development, MCICC integrates MSD’s global scientific resources with the advantages of China’s local innovation ecosystem, aiming to bring more “China-originated” achievements to patients worldwide, thereby saving lives and improving quality of life. Since its establishment, MCICC has signed three collaboration agreements and five letters of intent with Chinese local innovative biotechnology companies. It has established contact with over 530 local biotech firms and engaged in in-depth exchanges with more than 100 of them.