Date: 2014-06-24
Type of information: Development agreement
Compound: next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
Company: Merck KGaA, Merck Serono (Germany) Mersana Therapeutics (USA - MA)
Therapeutic area: Cancer - Oncology
Type agreement: development
Action mechanism: Antibody-drug conjugates are composed of an antibody linked to cytotoxic drugs, whereby the antibody specifically targets and delivers the cytotoxic drug to cancer cells, which could lead to higher drug levels at the tumor site. Mersana’s next-generation Fleximer® antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology is based on the company’s proprietary biodegradable polymer system, known as Fleximer, and a wide variety of linkers that allow for the attachment of an extensive range of anti-tumor payloads to Fleximer. Mersana’s novel linker systems are designed to be stable in the bloodstream and to release the potent payloads once inside the targeted cancer cell. Mersana’s proprietary payload platforms include Dolaflexin™, an auristatin derivative; Vindeflexin™, a vindesine derivative; and Cytoflexin™, a tubulysin derivative.
Disease:
Details: * On June 24, 2014, Mersana Therapeutics and the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA which operates as EMD Serono in the United States and Canada, announced an agreement to collaboratively develop next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Mersana and the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA will leverage Mersana’s Fleximer® technology to generate ADCs for multiple undisclosed targets. Both parties have agreed to test a variety of ADCs by utilizing Mersana’s platform technologies and several cytotoxic agents as conjugates. Under the agreement, Merck KGaA will provide monoclonal antibodies to Mersana, which will generate the Fleximer-ADCs and conduct drug discovery and preclinical development activities. Merck KGaA will be responsible for clinical development and commercialization of any products under an exclusive license from Mersana. In addition to an upfront payment, Mersana is eligible to receive milestones plus royalties on worldwide net sales of products.
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