As part of its new strategy to concentrate on innovative medicines for the unmet medical needs of patients with difficult-to-treat diseases, Germany’s Merck KGaA has decided to shed its allergy franchise. It has now agreed to sell subsidiary Allergopharma to compatriot Dermapharm Holding, based at Grünwald near Munich.

No price tag has been named for the transaction, which is expected to close by the end of the second quarter, subject to all customary conditions. The transfer includes the Allergopharma business in Europe and Asia, with a therapeutic and diagnostic product portfolio with sales of €88 million annually and a production site in Reinbek near Hamburg, Germany.

Allergopharma’s adrenaline autoinjector development project for the treatment of anaphylactic reactions is not part of the transaction and will remain with Merck.

The specialized company, which markets its treatments in 18 countries worldwide, is regarded a leader in allergen-specific immunotherapy of type 1 allergies such as hay fever or allergic asthma.

Merck said the transfer of Allergopharma to Dermapharm, a leading manufacturer of off-patent branded medicines for selected markets in Germany, will substantially strengthen its business.

Dermapharm is a leading manufacturer of off-patent branded medicines for selected markets in Germany, with its main production site at Brehna near Leipzig. The company has more than 900 marketing authorizations for around 250 active ingredients that are commercialized either as medicines, food supplements or supplemental balanced diets.