Collaborations play a critical role in executing our strategy to become a fully integrated oncology therapeutics company. We have collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as academic institutions, and continuously explore strategic relationships that extend the reach and capabilities of our technology platform and product candidates in oncology and other disease areas.
In December 2016, Merus and Incyte entered into a global, strategic collaboration focused on the research, discovery and development of bispecific antibodies utilizing Merus’ proprietary Biclonics® technology platform. As part of the agreement, Incyte received exclusive rights for up to eleven bispecific or monospecific antibody research programs.
In January 2021, Merus and Loxo Oncology at Lilly entered into a research collaboration and exclusive license agreement that will leverage Merus’ proprietary Biclonics® platform to research and develop up to three CD3-engaging T-cell re-directing bispecific antibody therapies.
As part of the agreement, Merus will lead discovery and early stage research activities, funded by Loxo Oncology at Lilly. Loxo Oncology at Lilly will be responsible for additional research, development and commercialization activities. In addition to receiving an upfront payment and equity investment, Merus will be eligible to receive potential development and commercialization milestones, in addition to tiered royalty payments on product sales should Loxo Oncology at Lilly successfully commercialize a therapy from the collaboration.
In January 2019, Merus entered into a strategic collaboration with Betta Pharmaceuticals to develop and commercialize Merus Biclonics® MCLA-129 in China. Under the terms of the agreement, Betta Pharmaceuticals is responsible for clinical development and potential commercialization of MCLA-129 in China, while Merus retains full ex-China rights.
In January 2018, Merus granted Simcere an exclusive license to develop and commercialize in China up to three bispecific antibodies utilizing Merus’ proprietary Biclonics® technology platform. Merus retained all rights outside of China. As part of the agreement, Merus is leading research and discovery activities, while Simcere is responsible for IND enabling studies, clinical development, regulatory filings and commercialization of these product candidates in China. As a key strategic component of the collaboration, Simcere will be responsible for IND enabling studies and manufacturing of clinical trial materials in China, which Merus intends to use to assist regulatory filings and early stage clinical development in the rest of the world. In addition to receiving an upfront payment, Merus will be eligible to receive development and commercial milestones, and tiered royalty payments on sales in China. Simcere will be eligible to receive tiered royalty payments on sales outside of China.
In April 2014, Merus and Ono entered into a research and license agreement to jointly develop bispecific antibody therapies for undisclosed targets. Ono received worldwide exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the resulting products developed through the collaboration. Merus received an upfront payment, and is eligible to receive milestones and sales royalties. In March 2018, Ono exercised its option under the April 2014 agreement to enter into a new research and license agreement utilizing Merus’ proprietary Biclonics® technology platform to generate a bispecific antibody that binds to a combination of targets.
In March 2018, Merus and Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) entered into a research collaboration to develop novel agents for therapeutic applications. The collaboration combines Merus’ proprietary Biclonics® technology platform and VHIO’s expertise in clinical, translational and preclinical research.