Selected partnerships
A proven track record
Flexibility in deal-making and a willingness to take risk for highly innovative products are the hallmarks of Merck Serono. We offer an unparalleled track record for thorough due diligence and successful partnering of both products and technologies.
Here are a few key examples:
1998 – Eli Lilly (formerly ImClone Systems)
Merck licensed the right to market Erbitux® – a first-in-class IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) – outside the US and Canada from ImClone LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, in 1998. In Japan, ImClone, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Merck jointly develop and commercialize Erbitux. It is currently approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and is being investigated in Phase III trials as a treatment for gastric cancer and as an adjuvant therapy in colon cancer.
Merck licensed the right to market Erbitux® – a first-in-class IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) – outside the US and Canada from ImClone LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, in 1998. In Japan, ImClone, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Merck jointly develop and commercialize Erbitux. It is currently approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and is being investigated in Phase III trials as a treatment for gastric cancer and as an adjuvant therapy in colon cancer.
2001 – Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) (formerly ZymoGenetics)
A number of products are being developed by Merck Serono and Bristol-Myers Squibb under a broad partnership originally established between Merck Serono and ZymoGenetics in 2001 and 2004 to research, develop, and commercialize novel protein and antibody therapeutics. The partnership includes the exclusive worldwide license to Merck Serono to develop and commercialize a monoclonal antibody targeting the interleukin receptor IL-22RA, Fibroblast Growth Factor 18, and the genetic fusion molecule atacicept, which is currently in late-stage development for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Additionally, Bristol-Myers Squibb has an exclusive license to a monoclonal antibody against the interleukin IL-31, initially co-developed under the terms of the partnership agreement.
A number of products are being developed by Merck Serono and Bristol-Myers Squibb under a broad partnership originally established between Merck Serono and ZymoGenetics in 2001 and 2004 to research, develop, and commercialize novel protein and antibody therapeutics. The partnership includes the exclusive worldwide license to Merck Serono to develop and commercialize a monoclonal antibody targeting the interleukin receptor IL-22RA, Fibroblast Growth Factor 18, and the genetic fusion molecule atacicept, which is currently in late-stage development for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Additionally, Bristol-Myers Squibb has an exclusive license to a monoclonal antibody against the interleukin IL-31, initially co-developed under the terms of the partnership agreement.
2008 - Theratechnologies
Merck Serono’s US affiliate EMD Serono, Inc. has entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with Theratechnologies for tesamorelin in the United States for the treatment of excess abdominal fat in HIV patients with lipodystrophy. Theratechnologies retains all tesamorelin commercialization rights outside of the US. Tesamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue with therapeutic potential in a variety of anabolic and lipolytic indications. Tesamorelin has now been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Merck Serono’s US affiliate EMD Serono, Inc. has entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with Theratechnologies for tesamorelin in the United States for the treatment of excess abdominal fat in HIV patients with lipodystrophy. Theratechnologies retains all tesamorelin commercialization rights outside of the US. Tesamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue with therapeutic potential in a variety of anabolic and lipolytic indications. Tesamorelin has now been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
2010 – sanofi-aventis U.S. Inc.
In 2010 Merck KGaA signed a worldwide research and development agreement with sanofi-aventis U.S. Inc., under which Merck Serono and sanofi-aventis collaboratively investigate two novel experimental combinations of the MEK inhibitor AS703026/MSC1936369B with one of two compounds* of sanofi-aventis.
*PI3K/mTOR inhibitor SAR245409 (also known as XL765), is under the responsibility of Merck, and class I PI3K inhibitor SAR245408 (also known as XL147), is under the responsibility of sanofi-aventis.
In 2010 Merck KGaA signed a worldwide research and development agreement with sanofi-aventis U.S. Inc., under which Merck Serono and sanofi-aventis collaboratively investigate two novel experimental combinations of the MEK inhibitor AS703026/MSC1936369B with one of two compounds* of sanofi-aventis.
*PI3K/mTOR inhibitor SAR245409 (also known as XL765), is under the responsibility of Merck, and class I PI3K inhibitor SAR245408 (also known as XL147), is under the responsibility of sanofi-aventis.
