Mersana reports research collaboration, commercial license pact with Merck KGaA

Mersana Therapeutics (MRSN) announced a research collaboration and commercial license agreement with a subsidiary of Merck KGaA (MKKGY) to discover novel Immunosynthen ADCs directed against up to two targets. Immunosynthen, Mersana's proprietary STING-agonist ADC platform, is designed to generate systemically administered ADCs that locally activate STING signaling in both tumor-resident immune cells and in antigen-expressing tumor cells. "Building on our deep expertise in the ADC space, we are focused on the discovery of next-generation state-of-the-art ADC drugs," said Paul Lyne, Head of Research Unit, Oncology, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "An approach that can directly target the tumor microenvironment with an immunomodulatory ADC has the potential to bring the benefits of this immunotherapy to a broader group of patients. This collaboration with Mersana to design novel immunostimulatory ADCs that can harness the potential of the STING pathway is an ideal complement to our innovation." Under the terms of the agreement, Mersana will develop novel ADC product candidates against up to two targets utilizing its Immunosynthen platform to conjugate proprietary antibodies from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Mersana will be responsible for certain discovery activities, as well as limited preclinical manufacturing and supply obligations, which will be reimbursed by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany will be solely responsible for in vitro and in vivo characterization, other preclinical work, and all clinical development and potential commercialization activities relating to any resulting product candidates. Mersana will receive an upfront payment of $30M. Mersana is also eligible to receive reimbursement of certain costs, up to $800M in potential regulatory, development and commercial milestone payments, and tiered royalties up to the low double-digit percentages on worldwide net sales of any approved ADCs developed under the agreement.