Merck, Ono To Jointly Develop Oral Multiple Sclerosis Drug, Cancer Immunotherapy

Merck KGaA said it inked two agreements for collaboration of its Merck Serono division with Ono Pharmaceutical, Osaka, Japan to strengthen its multiple sclerosis and cancer franchises.

Merck noted that the first agreement grants it worldwide exclusive license rights for the development and commercialization of ONO-4641 outside of Japan, Korea and Taiwan. On the other hand, the second license agreement provides Ono with co-development and co-marketing
rights of Stimuvax in Japan.

As per the terms of the agreement for ONO-4641, Merck Serono will acquire worldwide exclusive rights, excluding Japan, Korea and Taiwan, to develop and commercialize ONO-4641. Ono will receive 1.5 billion Japanese Yen, or about €14 million, as an upfront payment and could receive additional payments based on the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones for ONO-4641.

Under the terms of the separate agreement for Stimuvax, Ono will receive a co-development and co-marketing license for Stimuvax in Japan and Merck Serono will receive an upfront payment of €5 million.