1. Scrip
  2. >>Business
  3. >>Deals

F-star Option Deal With Merck On Bispecific IO Antibodies

 
• By Sukaina Virji

'Asset-centric' bispecific antibody developer F-star has agreed an option deal for a package of immuno-oncology-focused antibodies with Merck of Germany.

Molecular model of antibody taking part in immune defence. Molecule of immunoglobulin, 3D illustration

Merck KGAA has purchased the option to acquire five of F-star GMBH's bispecific antibody programs. The five programs are wrapped up in a single data package dubbed F-star Delta. F-star packages its assets in this way and offers the option to acquire them to pharma partners as a strategy to mitigate the risk of drug development.

The latest deal includes F-star's preclinical lead asset FS118, which is designed to block LAG-3 (Lymphocyte-Activation Gene 3) and PD-L1...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Deals

BIO Notebook: Woodcock Calls For Doing The Right Thing, Dealmaking Remains Constrained

 
• By Mandy Jackson, Joseph Haas, and Sarah Karlin-Smith

Highlights from Day Four of the BIO International Convention include Woodcock offering practical advice on rare disease trials, the sorry state of dealmaking mid-year, Novartis discussing its approach to partnering, and Generate looking for funding to move into Phase III.

BIO Notebook: MFN Pricing, Next-Gen Obesity R&D, FDA’s Rare Disease Hub & Reaction To Review Program

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith, Mandy Jackson, and Alaric DeArment

Highlights from Day 3 of the BIO International Convention include the realities of MFN pricing, AstraZeneca's R&D plans for obesity, the need for resources for FDA's rare disease hub and reactions to the Commissioner's National Priority Review Voucher program.

EY Recommends Focusing On Fundamentals, Waiting For Prime Deal Conditions

 
• By Joseph Haas

Government policy ramifications and tight financial markets mean it’s time to prepare strategically for a better business development environment, EY suggests.

Lilly Agrees To Acquire PCSK9 Base-Editing Partner Verve

 
• By Joseph Haas

Instead of opting in on Phase II-ready PCSK9-targeted VERVE-102, Lilly will buy its partner for up to $1.3bn. Analysts call the deal a bargain for Lilly, but fair to Verve.

More from Business

Top 10 Drugs Q1 2025: Keytruda Dominates; Mounjaro Climbs

 
• By Eleanor Malone

Lilly’s Mounjaro for diabetes rose from sixth to third position among the top-selling drugs in the first quarter of 2025, Rival Ozempic retained second position and Merck & Co’s immuno-oncology blockbuster Keytruda stayed far ahead.

Skyhawk Looks To Soar With Huntington’s Hope

 
• By Kevin Grogan

Oral RNA splicing modulator has gone into a Phase II/III trial

BIO Notebook: MFN Pricing, Next-Gen Obesity R&D, FDA’s Rare Disease Hub & Reaction To Review Program

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith, Mandy Jackson, and Alaric DeArment

Highlights from Day 3 of the BIO International Convention include the realities of MFN pricing, AstraZeneca's R&D plans for obesity, the need for resources for FDA's rare disease hub and reactions to the Commissioner's National Priority Review Voucher program.