Daiichi Sankyo and Merck (or MSD) have expanded their global development and commercialisation agreement to include Merck's novel immunotherapy currently in Phase I/II trials.
Merck's MK-6070, a delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) targeting T-cell engager, will be jointly commercialised by the two companies — with the aim to distribute the therapeutic worldwide. This, however, excludes Japan; Merck has exclusive distribution rights for the therapeutic in this region.
MK-6070 was acquired by Merck through its merger with Harpoon Therapeutics.
The company will develop and commercialise MK-6070 in tandem, with the aim to distribute it worldwide. This, however, excludes Japan; Merck has exclusive distribution rights for the therapeutic in this region.
T-cell engagers for better combination cancer therapies
MK-6070 has been designed to target DLL3, an inhibitory Notch ligand that's often highly expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine tumours.
The immunotherapy's efficacy, safety and tolerability is currently being evaluated in a Phase I/II clinical trial.
Merck and Daiichi Sankyo will evaluate the MK-6070 in combination with ifinatamb deruxtecan (I-DXd) in patients with SCLC, as well as other therapeutic combinations which may benefit patients.
“MK-6070 provides a number of potential synergies with our established antibody-drug conjugate collaboration — particularly ifinatamab deruxtecan — and will allow us to expand our oncology pipeline, while also creating new standards of care for patients with cancer worldwide." Said Daiichi Sankyo's MD and Global Head of R&D, Ken Takeshita.
“Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive, fast-growing form of lung cancer and new treatment approaches are urgently needed,” said the President of Merck Research Laboratories, Dr Dean Y. Li. “We are pleased to build upon our collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo and look forward to evaluating the novel combination of MK-6070 and ifinatamab deruxtecan in small cell lung cancer and other forms of cancer.”