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