Merck Enters Into License Agreement With the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)
Merck Enters Into License Agreement With the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)
PR55355
DARMSTADT, Germany, Dec.19, 2013 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --
New agreement aims to translate CNIO research into new potential treatment
options for cancer patients License agreement encompasses two series of ATR
inhibitors and a screening platform Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical
division of Merck, today announced that a license agreement has been signed
with the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) in Madrid in the area
of cancer drug development. The global agreement will build upon CNIO research
discoveries to encourage the development and commercialization of new compounds
in the field of oncology.
Under the terms of the license agreement, CNIO has granted to Merck
exclusive rights to develop and commercialize their new inhibitors of the
ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase. In exchange, Merck will
make an initial payment along with other potential income of up to nearly EUR19
million, as well as royalties on net sales. The agreement encompasses the
licensing of two series of ATR inhibitors, as well as a screening platform to
validate the compounds, which have currently reached an advanced preclinical
stage.
"Part of Merck's commitment to oncology includes the focus on strategic
agreements that allow us to foster a constant flow of innovations," said Andree
Blaukat, Head of Translational Innovation Platform Oncology for Merck Serono.
"We are convinced that working with like-minded organizations, like the CNIO,
will further strengthen our efforts towards finding the next generation of
breakthrough therapies."
"As a research organization, the CNIO is committed to fostering and
promoting innovation. Among other initiatives, the CNIO's Experimental
Therapeutics Program carries out early drug discovery projects. The CNIO is
delighted to be working with Merck to hopefully translate this research into
potential new treatment options for patients with cancer," said Maria Blasco,
Director of the CNIO. "It is through collaborations with industry oncology
leaders that we can bring CNIO discoveries, such as those made by the group led
by Oscar Fernandez-Capetillo, to patients, and contribute new improved products
to the battle against cancer."
ATR kinase has an important role in the response to DNA damage and in
facilitating cell survival. Due to the fact that tumor cells accumulate more
DNA damage than healthy cells, blocking ATR kinase activity with selective
inhibitors appears to be a strategy worth investigating further for specific
tumor types.
About the CNIO
The CNIO was created in 1998 by the National Health Institute Carlos III,
with the essential goal of developing research of excellence and providing
innovative technology in the field of cancer. In the SIR World Report 2013,
elaborated by the Scimago research group to compare the scientific quality of
research Institutions worldwide, the CNIO occupies the second position among
the best cancer centres in the word (the first position among Spanish centres).
In line with these indicators, the Spanish Government recognized the quality of
the CNIO's scientific and human resources programmes with the Severo Ochoa
Award, accrediting CNIO as one of the eight Spanish Centres of Excellence in
2011.
Maria Blasco has held the position of Director of the CNIO since June 2011.
Since its creation, the CNIO has established collaborations with several
national and international companies. Moreover, in the past three years, the
CNIO has launched two spin-off companies: Life Length, focused on marketing
in-house-developed technology for telomere length determination as a novel
method of disease risk prediction; and BioncoTech, which develops a new
treatment for highly aggressive melanoma. More information: http://www.cnio.es
About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck. With headquarters
in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in 150 countries to
help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and
metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular diseases. In the United States
and Canada, EMD Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of
Merck Serono.
Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription
medicines of both chemical and biological origin in specialist indications. We
have an enduring commitment to deliver novel therapies in our core focus areas
of neurology, oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology.
For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.com.
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Merck is a leading pharmaceutical, chemical and life science company with
total revenues of EURO 11.2 billion in 2012, a history that began in 1668, and
a future shaped by approx. 38,000 employees in 66 countries. Its success is
characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating
activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family
holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining
approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and
has been an independent company ever since.
SOURCE: Merck Serono
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