In a significant expansion of their collaborative efforts, Daiichi Sankyo and Merck have announced a global co-development and co-commercialization agreement for MK-6070, an experimental drug targeting delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) T-cell engager. This agreement, which excludes Japan where Merck retains exclusive rights, reinforces both companies' dedication to advancing innovative cancer treatments.
Expanding the Collaborative Scope
Daiichi Sankyo and Merck's new partnership builds upon their existing agreement concerning three investigational DXd antibody drug conjugates. MK-6070, now included in their collaborative portfolio, is currently being studied in a phase 1/2 clinical trial. This drug targets DLL3, a protein highly expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine tumors, presenting a promising therapeutic target. Future plans involve evaluating MK-6070 in combination with ifinatamab deruxtecan for certain SCLC patients, alongside other potential combinations.
Financial and Operational Details
Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will receive an upfront cash payment of $170 million, with the companies sharing research, development, and commercialization costs and profits globally, except for Japan. In Japan, Daiichi Sankyo will receive royalties based on sales, while Merck will record global sales for MK-6070. The shared expenses for MK-6070's development, particularly in combination with ifinatamab deruxtecan, will follow the financial structure of the original ifinatamab deruxtecan agreement.
About DLL3 and MK-6070
Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) is a Notch pathway inhibitory ligand, notably expressed in small cell lung cancer and various neuroendocrine tumors like melanoma, small cell bladder cancer, and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. This limited expression in normal tissues makes DLL3 an attractive target for therapeutic interventions.
MK-6070, a tri-specific T-cell engager directed at DLL3, is undergoing phase 1/2 clinical trials both as a monotherapy for advanced cancers with DLL3 expression and in combination with atezolizumab for SCLC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Orphan Drug Designation to MK-6070 for treating SCLC in March 2022.
Collaborative History and Future Prospects
The partnership between Daiichi Sankyo and Merck began in October 2023, focusing on the global development and commercialization of three other drug candidates: patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd), and raludotatug deruxtecan (R-DXd).
Daiichi Sankyo handles the manufacturing and supply, with exclusive rights in Japan, while Merck collaborates on the global front, excluding Japan.
This expanded collaboration marks a significant step forward in the fight against cancer, leveraging the combined expertise and resources of Daiichi Sankyo and Merck to bring innovative therapies to patients worldwide.
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