Date: 2013-09-11
Type of information: Licensing agreement
Compound: MK-1775
Company: AstraZeneca (UK) Merck&Co (USA)
Therapeutic area: Cancer - Oncology
Type agreement: licensing
Action mechanism: WEE1 is a cell cycle checkpoint protein regulator. Preclinical data indicate that disruption of WEE1 may enhance the cell killing effects of some anticancer agents. MK-1775 is an investigational orally available inhibitor of the cell cycle checkpoint protein WEE1. MK-1775 is being evaluated in Phase IIa clinical trials for the treatment of patients with P53-deficient ovarian cancer.
Disease:
Details: * On September 11, 2013, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co have announced a worldwide licensing agreement for Merck’s oral small molecule inhibitor of WEE1 kinase (MK-1775). MK-1775 is currently being evaluated in Phase IIa clinical studies in combination with standard of care therapies for the treatment of patients with certain types. MK-1775 is designed to cause certain tumour cells to divide without undergoing the normal DNA repair processes, ultimately leading to cell death. Preclinical evidence suggests that the combination of MK-1775 and DNA damage-inducing chemotherapy agents can enhance anti-tumor properties, in comparison to chemotherapy alone. The agreement is contingent on expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act.
Financial terms: Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will pay Merck a $50 million upfront fee. In addition Merck will be eligible to receive future payments tied to development and regulatory milestones plus sales-related payments and tiered royalties. AstraZeneca will be responsible for all future clinical development, manufacturing and marketing.
Latest news:
