10.30.23
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, entered a strategic collaboration with Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. that includes an exclusive license worldwide (ex-China) to develop, manufacture and commercialize Hengrui’s next-generation potent and selective PARP1 (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1) trapping inhibitor HRS-1167.
The agreement also includes an option to an exclusive license worldwide (ex-China) to develop, manufacture and commercialize Hengrui’s Claudin-18.2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) SHR-A1904. In addition, Merck KGaA has the option to co-promote both assets in China.
Merck KGaA will provide Hengrui with an upfront payment of €160 million. Hengrui will receive payments for the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones, and royalties on sales with potential payments of as much as €1.4 billion.
“This partnership with Hengrui fully aligns with both our external innovation ambition and our oncology research and development strategy by diversifying our robust internal pipeline in our focus areas of DNA damage response inhibition and antibody-drug conjugates,” said Danny Bar-Zohar, global head of R&D and chief medical officer for the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “The synergies of these assets with our portfolio offer broad potential for development and the opportunity to advance more therapeutic options for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. We look forward to leveraging the significant expertise of Hengrui and our strong collaboration ahead.”
“Given the high unmet need in oncology, we are excited to work closely with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to bring Hengrui’s innovations to cancer patients worldwide,” said Frank Jiang, board member and chief strategy officer of Hengrui Pharma. “Partnering with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, on our PARP franchise is an important milestone on Hengrui's globalization journey. We look forward to advancing our molecules rapidly through development and reaching patients in need.”
The agreement also includes an option to an exclusive license worldwide (ex-China) to develop, manufacture and commercialize Hengrui’s Claudin-18.2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) SHR-A1904. In addition, Merck KGaA has the option to co-promote both assets in China.
Merck KGaA will provide Hengrui with an upfront payment of €160 million. Hengrui will receive payments for the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones, and royalties on sales with potential payments of as much as €1.4 billion.
“This partnership with Hengrui fully aligns with both our external innovation ambition and our oncology research and development strategy by diversifying our robust internal pipeline in our focus areas of DNA damage response inhibition and antibody-drug conjugates,” said Danny Bar-Zohar, global head of R&D and chief medical officer for the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “The synergies of these assets with our portfolio offer broad potential for development and the opportunity to advance more therapeutic options for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. We look forward to leveraging the significant expertise of Hengrui and our strong collaboration ahead.”
“Given the high unmet need in oncology, we are excited to work closely with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to bring Hengrui’s innovations to cancer patients worldwide,” said Frank Jiang, board member and chief strategy officer of Hengrui Pharma. “Partnering with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, on our PARP franchise is an important milestone on Hengrui's globalization journey. We look forward to advancing our molecules rapidly through development and reaching patients in need.”