Merck KGaA and Archemix to collaborate on Aptamer-based cancer therapeutics

Merck KGaA announced today that it has signed a multi-year, multi-target agreement with Archemix of Cambridge, Massachusetts, US that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of first-in-class aptamer-based therapeutics to treat cancer.

Archemix will receive an upfront payment and committed research funding of up to US$10m. Archemix also could receive milestones and royalty payments for products successfully commercial-ised under the collaboration. In addition, Archemix may participate in the co-promotion of products that result from the collaboration.

'Archemix is the leader in the field of aptamers, a new class of drugs that has tremendous potential in the battle against cancer,' said Bernhard Kirschbaum, executive senior vice president and director of research for Merck Serono. 'We hope this collaboration will further our efforts to provide physicians and oncology patients with innovative, targeted cancer treatments.'

Errol De Souza, president and ceo of Archemix, said: 'Merck is a recognised global leader in oncology drug development and marketing and we are excited to be working with them to apply our scientific expertise in developing novel aptamer therapeutics for cancer. This alliance is the fourth major partnership we have formed over the past 6 months and is consistent with our strategy to enable partners to leverage aptamers as drugs on a target by target basis.'