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.

Source link: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240808638055/en/Merck-to-Acquire-Investigational-B-Cell-Depletion-Therapy-CN201-from-Curon-Biopharmaceutical

+ posts

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.