MSD to Buy B-Cell Depletion Therapy from Curon
Major US drugmaker MSD is to pay up to $1.3 billion to acquire CN201, a novel investigational clinical-stage bispecific antibody for the treatment of B-cell associated diseases, from biotechnology company Curon Biopharmaceutical.
“We continue to identify opportunities to expand and diversify our pipeline,” said Dean Y. Li, president of MSD Research Laboratories. “Early clinical data have provided robust evidence for the potential of CN201 to target and deplete circulating and tissue B cells with the potential to treat a range of malignant and autoimmune diseases.”
Under the terms of the agreement, MSD said that it will acquire full global rights to CN201 for an upfront payment of $700 million in cash. Curon is also eligible to receive up to $600 million in milestone payments associated with the development and regulatory approval of CN201.
CN201 is currently being evaluated in Phase 1 and Phase 1b/2 clinical trials for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), respectively. MSD plans to evaluate CN201 as a treatment for B-cell malignancies as well as investigate its potential to provide a novel, scalable option for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
“This agreement reflects the drive and dedication of the Curon team,” said Zhihong Chen, president and CEO of Curon. “As a pioneer in immuno-oncology, MSD is well positioned to build upon the work done to-date and investigate the wide-ranging, first-in-class potential of CN201.”
Closing of the proposed transaction, which is subject to approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary conditions, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024.
