Rigontec Buy Adds RNA Tech To Merck & Co IO Portfolio

Merck & Co. adds to its immuno-oncology pipeline with the acquisition of Rigontec for an upfront payment of €115m, with the three-year-old company offering Merck a unique approach to immunotherapy and a lead candidate currently in Phase I/II trials, the first of its kind in human studies.

Two groups of candies in different colors symbolizing the parties to the negotiations

Merck & Co. Inc. has acquired oncology-focused Rigontec GMBH for an upfront payment of €115m and possible additional contingent payments of up to €349m. The Germany-based company caught the big pharma's eye with its unique RNA-based technology that takes advantage of the innate immune system's retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) pathway, a part of the immune system that has not been traditionally targeted by oncology players.

Regina Hodits, general partner at Wellington Partners Life Sciences, an investor in Rigontec, told Scrip that though there is a...

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

More from Immuno-oncology

Dispatch Uses ‘Flare’ To Send CAR-Ts To Solid Tumors

 

With $216m in initial funding, the newly launched company is aiming to develop a cell therapy-based universal immuno-oncology option for solid tumor indications.

Chinese Biotechs Sweep ADC Plus PD-(L)1/VEGF Bispecific Combos Into Phase II

 

Chinese firms Junshi, Minghui and RemeGen rank among the world’s few players progressing antibody-drug conjugates combined with PD-(L)1/VEGF bispecific antibodies in Phase II trials for various cancers.

Sino Biopharm Scoops LaNova In Chinese Pharma’s Biggest Biotech Buyout So Far

 

Sino Biopharm will pay almost $1bn to acquire what target LaNova’s CEO described as an “exploding” pipeline, which includes six clinical-stage candidates in the oncology area.

Glenmark Chief On IGI’s Landmark Trispecific Deal: Strong Data Excited AbbVie

 

Glenmark’s managing director talks about IGI’s billion dollar-plus deal with AbbVie, ISB-2001’s striking data, the BEAT platform, other "exciting" pipeline assets and the "blood, sweat and tears" to get to this stage.

More from Anticancer

Genentech Gets Columvi Complete Response Following ODAC’s No

 
• By 

Seeking to move Columvi into second-line DLBCL, Genentech got an FDA letter saying the Phase III STARGLO study’s benefits may have been driven by results in Asian enrollees.

BMS’s Reblozyl Misses Primary Endpoint In Myelofibrosis Anemia

 

The drugmaker announced topline results from the Phase III INDEPENDENCE trial, which did meet key secondary endpoints.

AI-First, Big Pharma, Chinese Firms In Race - What’s Ahead For PRMT5 Inhibitors

 
• By 

As AI-driven firms including Insilico, big pharmas J&J, Amgen, GSK and AstraZeneca and Chinese and Indian firms like BeOne and Dr. Reddy’s advance PRMT5 inhibitor candidates, what’s driving interest, what could lead to the first global approval and what are the challenges ahead?