Lycera Expands Partnership With Merck; Potential $600-Million Deal
Lycera Corp. recently announced a collaboration agreement with Merck to discover, develop, and commercialize small-molecule therapies directed to selected novel targets being investigated for the treatment of a broad range of immune-mediated disorders.
This new relationship between the two companies builds on a previous agreement announced in 2011 focused on therapies targeting the retinoic acid related orphan receptor, the key transcription factor coordinating both differentiation of T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and production of highly pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-17 (IL-17).
“We are absolutely delighted to expand our relationship with Merck, a collaboration that builds on the culture of scientific excellence fostered by both companies,” said Kathleen M. Metters, PhD, Lycera’s President and CEO. “Lycera’s proven track record in accelerating early stage programs to development candidate status holds the potential to fuel Merck’s early stage pipeline.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Lycera will receive an up-front payment and research funding, and is eligible to receive in excess of $300 million in research, development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments. Further details of the financial terms were not disclosed. Merck is responsible for clinical development and will have worldwide marketing and commercialization rights to any products that may be developed as a result of the collaboration. Lycera is entitled to receive royalty payments, as well as development and sales milestones, on global sales from any such products.
“There are substantial unmet medical needs and opportunities in autoimmune disorders, and new targets representing attractive opportunities that we are very pleased to pursue through our new collaboration with Lycera,” said Rupert Vessey, DPhil, FRCP, Senior Vice President, Global Scientific Strategy, Merck Research Laboratories. “Lycera’s innovative capabilities and productivity, exemplified by the retinoic acid related orphan receptor program on which we currently collaborate, make them ideal partners for Merck in this area of drug discovery.”
Lycera Corp. is focused on the discovery and development of selective, small molecule immune-modulators for the treatment of patients with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Lycera is developing drug candidates for novel therapeutic targets that have the potential for first-in-class oral efficacy without the adverse effects of current standard-of-care antiproliferative and immunosuppressive agents. For more information, visit www.lycera.com.
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