Articles from Merck KGaA

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany (DAX: MRK), a leading science and technology company, and SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SWTX), a Stamford, Connecticut-based commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on severe rare diseases and cancer, today announced the companies have entered into a definitive agreement for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to acquire SpringWorks. The purchase price of $47 per share in cash represents an equity value of approximately $3.9 billion, or an enterprise value of $3.4 billion (€3.0 billion) based on SpringWorks’ cash balance as of December 31, 2024, and a premium of 26% to SpringWorks’ unaffected 20-day volume-weighted average price of $37.38 on February 7, 2025, the day prior to the first market speculation of a potential transaction between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and SpringWorks.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced that its two Phase III EVOLUTION clinical trials (evolutionRMS 1 and evolutionRMS 2) investigating the efficacy and safety of evobrutinib did not meet their primary endpoints of reducing annualized relapse rates (ARR) in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) compared to oral teriflunomide (0.11 vs. 0.11 in evolutionRMS 1 and 0.15 for evobrutinib and 0.14 for teriflunomide in evolutionRMS 2, p=NS in both trials). Of note, teriflunomide ARR values were lower than reported in other recent Phase III studies. The overall safety and tolerability profile was consistent with results from the previously reported Phase II trial. The Company will complete a full evaluation of the data from the EVOLUTION clinical trials and will work with investigators on the future presentation and publication of the results.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced a license agreement with Abbisko Therapeutics Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China, for pimicotinib (ABSK021), which is currently being evaluated in a Phase III study for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT). TGCT is a benign tumor of the joints that can cause swelling, pain, stiffness, and limited mobility of the affected joints. Treatment options for this disease, which can seriously affect patients’ quality of life, are very limited. The agreement grants Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany a license to commercialize pimicotinib in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, with an option for rest of world.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced a strategic collaboration with Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. (Hengrui). The partnership includes an exclusive license worldwide (ex-China) to develop, manufacture and commercialize Hengrui’s next-generation potent and selective PARP1 (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1) trapping inhibitor HRS-1167. The agreement also includes an option to an exclusive license worldwide (ex-China) to develop, manufacture and commercialize Hengrui’s Claudin-18.2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) SHR-A1904. In addition, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has the option to co-promote both assets in China.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced two new strategic drug discovery collaborations aimed at harnessing powerful artificial intelligence (AI)-driven design and discovery capabilities, further advancing the company’s research efforts. The partnerships, with BenevolentAI, London, U.K., and Exscientia, Oxford, U.K., are expected to generate several novel clinical development drug candidates with first-in-class and best-in-class potential in key therapeutic areas of oncology, neurology and immunology.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed a partial clinical hold on the initiation of new patients on evobrutinib and patients with less than 70 days exposure to study medication in the U.S. The ongoing, fully-enrolled Phase III EVOLUTION clinical trial program of evobrutinib in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) will continue as planned with all participants remaining on treatment as all are beyond 70 days exposure to study medication.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced a research collaboration and commercial license agreement with Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA to discover novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) leveraging Mersana’s proprietary Immunosynthen STING-agonist ADC platform, directed against up to two targets. The Immunosynthen 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, unlocking the anti-tumor potential of innate immune stimulation.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company which operates its Healthcare business as EMD Serono in the US and Canada, today shared updates on the company’s healthcare research and development strategy, aimed at doubling R&D productivity. To achieve the goal of introducing one new product or major indication every 1.5 years on average, the company will focus its expertise and capabilities and leverage synergies within the existing pipeline to deliver transformative medicines in Oncology, Neurology and Immunology, augmented by an increased focus on external innovation. The company expects to maintain the output of its internal discovery engine, while more than 50% of future launches will result from external co-development partnerships and strategic in-licensing of assets for further in-house development. The strategy was shared today at the company’s R&D Update Call.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced changes in its operating model for the Healthcare business sector. Chris Round will become President of EMD Serono leading the North America Healthcare business; Andrew Paterson will assume the position of Chief Marketing Officer; and recruitment is ongoing for the position of Head of China & International.