Merck KGaA: Merck and GSK agree on Collaboration in Immuno-Oncology

Merck KGaA and GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) will collaborate closely in the field of immuno-oncology. The cooperation relates to M7824, a bifunctional fusion protein developed by Merck. This is currently in clinical development and targets various forms of cancer that are difficult to treat.
 
Merck will receive an upfront payment of EUR300 million and is eligible for potential development milestone payments of up to EUR500 million. Merck will also be eligible for further payments upon successfully achieving future approval and commercial milestones of up to EUR2.9 billion. The total potential deal value is up to EUR3.7 billion.
 
The two companies will jointly develop and commercialize M7824. All profits and costs from the collaboration will be shared equally on a global basis.
 
In total, eight high priority clinical development studies for M7824 are ongoing or expected to commence in 2019, including studies in non-small cell lung and biliary tract cancers.