And if I were a conspiracy theorist, I might wonder whether this in-China investment is in part an effort to smooth the waters with Pres. Xi, over the difficulties Merck's Gardasil distributor in country is facing, regarding regulatory initiatives. But I am no conspiracy theorist. So, at face value -- we will read this as potentially good news for patients suffering with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and/or ALL. The best description of the news appears in Merck's own press release of earlier in the morning, thus:
. . .Merck, through a subsidiary, has agreed to acquire CN201, a novel investigational clinical-stage bispecific antibody for the treatment of B-cell associated diseases.
“We continue to identify opportunities to expand and diversify our pipeline,” said Dr. Dean Y. Li, president, Merck Research Laboratories. “Early clinical data have provided robust evidence for the potential of CN201 to target and deplete circulating and tissue B cells with the potential to treat a range of malignant and autoimmune diseases.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Merck through a subsidiary will acquire full global rights to CN201 for an upfront payment of $700 million in cash. Curon is also eligible to receive up to $600 million in milestone payments associated with the development and regulatory approval of CN201.
CN201 is currently being evaluated in Phase 1 and Phase 1b/2 clinical trials for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), respectively.
Preliminary data suggest CN201 has activity in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell hematologic malignancies and is well tolerated, with the potential to induce significant and sustained reductions in B-cell populations. Merck plans to evaluate CN201 as a treatment for B-cell malignancies as well as investigate its potential to provide a novel, scalable option for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. . . .
Onward to a busy, fun filled weekend -- parties a-go-go for little ones. . . etc. Grin.
नमस्ते
No comments:
Post a Comment