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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...

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