Merck Expands EGFR Targeted Portfolio
Acquiring Exclusive Worldwide License of Phase II Oncology Drug Candidate Sym004 From Symphogen
Merck announced that an exclusive worldwide license agreement was signed with Symphogen A/S for Sym004, an investigational antibody mixture targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).
Sym004 is currently being evaluated in a Phase I/II trial for the treatment of patients with advanced KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have previously progressed on treatment with standard chemotherapy and a marketed anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody. In addition, a singlearm, open-label Phase II trial in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) who have failed anti-EGFR–based therapy is currently ongoing.
“Sym004 further strengthens our early development pipeline by adding a product that is thought to act via a proposed synergistic mechanism of action not previously studied, but more specifically, it has the potential to become a key asset complementing our already highly successful Erbitux franchise,” commented Dr. Susan Jane Herbert, Head of Global Business Development and Strategy for the Merck Serono division.
Under the agreement, Merck will gain exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Sym004. In exchange, Symphogen will receive from Merck an upfront payment of € 20 million as well as payments for clinical development, regulatory and sales performance milestones. Symphogen will also be eligible for potential royalties on net worldwide sales.
Sym004 is comprised of two antibodies that are not only designed to block ligand binding, receptor activation and downstream signaling but are also thought to elicit removal of the EGFR receptors from the cancer cell surface by inducing EGFR internalization and degradation.
Original publication
Pedersen MW, et al. Cancer Res 2010;70:588-97
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Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
