JasonDoiy/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Merck ( NYSE: MRK ) and Daiichi Sankyo ( OTCPK:DSNKY ) announced Tuesday that they have added another experimental therapy to their recent partnership, which targeted a class of cancer drugs known as antibody-drug conjugates. Accordingly, in addition to the three investigational DXd ADCs initially targeted, the duo will jointly develop and commercialize MK-6070, a T-cell engager Merck ( MRK ) acquired with its recent acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics. Per the terms, the companies will share the R&D and commercialization costs for MK-6070 as well as its worldwide profits, except in Japan, where Merck ( MRK ) retains exclusive rights.
Additionally, the U.S. pharma giant will receive $170M in upfront cash, and Daiichi ( OTCPK:DSKYF ) will receive a royalty based on sales in Japan.
Designed to target a compound found in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine tumors, MK-6070 is currently undergoing a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. Merck ( MRK ) and Daiichi ( OTCPK:DSNKY ) intend to study MK-6070 for SCLC as part of a combination regimen with ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) and other drugs. More on Merck, Daiichi Sankyo, etc.
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (DSKYF) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript Merck / Pfizer Earnings Summaries: Staying With Merck For Now, Pfizer's Cost-Cutting Will Help Margins Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript Over 80% of companies that reported earnings this week beat profit estimates - .