Merck (MSD outside the US and Canada) has acquired CN201, a novel bispecific antibody, from Curon Biopharmaceutical. CN201 targets CD3 and CD19 receptors on T cells and B cells, respectively.
This acquisition expands Merck’s pipeline with a promising treatment for B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases. CN201 has shown early clinical success in targeting and eliminating B cells in circulating and tissue populations.
Phase 1 and 1b/2 clinical trials for CN201 are underway, evaluating its efficacy in treating relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), respectively. Preliminary results suggest favorable activity and tolerability.
Merck intends to investigate further CN201’s potential for treating various B-cell malignancies and as a novel option for autoimmune diseases. Zhihong Chen, president and CEO of Curon, expressed confidence in Merck’s ability to advance CN201’s development and explore its wide-ranging therapeutic possibilities.
The acquisition is subject to customary conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024. Merck will record a pre-tax charge reflecting the upfront payment and related costs. The transaction will be reported as an asset acquisition and impact the company’s non-GAAP results upon closing.
Hogan Lovells advised Merck, while Centerview Partners LLC and Goodwin Procter LLP acted as financial and legal advisors to Curon, respectively.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.