Merck Strengthens Presence as Leading Oncology Company by Taking Full Promotional Responsibility for Erbitux in Japan

PR59491

BUDAPEST, Hungary, Feb. 13, 2015 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

- Not intended for US- and UK-based media

・　Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb to end co-promotion of Erbitux in Japan, with

full promotional responsibilities transferring to Merck

Merck, a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in

healthcare, life science and performance materials, today announced that Merck

and Bristol-Myers Squibb have agreed to transfer full responsibility for the

promotion of Erbitux(R) (cetuximab) to Merck in Japan as of May 1, 2015.

"Expanding our oncology presence in Japan is of strategic importance to achieve

our long term ambition to become a leading global player in oncology and

immuno-oncology," said Belen Garijo, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and

CEO Healthcare.

The transfer of promotional responsibilities for Erbitux in Japan further

increases Merck's presence in this important strategic market, where the

company has already positioned Japan as its regional Research and Development

hub for North East Asia.

"With this agreement, Japan will increasingly become a key focus country for us

as it complements our Asia-centric Research and Development strategies. As a

result, we plan to work diligently to develop therapies that best suit the

unmet need, and the epidemiological profiles of Asian patient populations,"

said Elcin Ergun, Head of Global Commercial at Merck Serono, the

biopharmaceutical business of Merck.

Erbitux was launched in collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb in Japan in

September 2008 for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, followed by

an additional indication for the treatment of head and neck cancer, approved in

December 2012.*

* Please refer to the local prescribing and product information for details.

About Erbitux

Erbitux(R) is a highly active IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal

growth factor receptor (EGFR). As a monoclonal antibody, the mode of action of

Erbitux is distinct from standard non-selective chemotherapy treatments in that

it specifically targets and binds to the EGFR. This binding inhibits the

activation of the receptor and the subsequent signal-transduction pathway,

which results in reducing both the invasion of normal tissues by tumor cells

and the spread of tumors to new sites. It is also believed to inhibit the

ability of tumor cells to repair the damage caused by chemotherapy and

radiotherapy and to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels inside tumors,

which appears to lead to an overall suppression of tumor growth.

The most commonly reported side effect with Erbitux is an acne-like skin rash

that seems to be correlated with a good response to therapy. In approximately

5% of patients, hypersensitivity reactions may occur during treatment with

Erbitux; about half of these reactions are severe.

Erbitux has already obtained market authorization in over 90 countries

world-wide for the treatment of colorectal cancer and for the treatment of

squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Merck licensed the right to market Erbitux outside the US and Canada from

ImClone LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, in 1998. Merck

has an ongoing commitment to the advancement of oncology treatment and is

currently investigating novel therapies in highly targeted areas.

All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become

available on the Merck Website. Please go to

http://www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection

or discontinue this service.

Merck is a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in

healthcare, life science and performance materials. The company has six

businesses - Merck Serono, Consumer Health, Allergopharma, Biosimilars, Merck

Millipore and Performance Materials - and generated total revenues of EUR 11.1

billion in 2013. Around 39,000 Merck employees work in 66 countries to improve

the quality of life for patients, to foster the success of customers and to

help meet global challenges. Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and

chemical company - since 1668, the company has stood for innovation, business

success and responsible entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70%

interest, the founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this

day. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck name and

brand. The only exceptions are Canada and the United States, where the company

operates as EMD Serono, EMD Millipore and EMD Performance Materials.

SOURCE: Merck