Germany's Merck KGAA has opted not to take a hands-on approach in developing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapies and has instead changed its previous drug development deal with US-based Intrexon Corp., trading rights to potential CAR-T therapies for stock in the biotech.
Germany's Merck Swaps CAR-T Rights For Equity In Intrexon, Focusing Its R&D
Merck KGaA has rejigged a 2015 drug development deal with NASDAQ-listed Intrexon, swapping rights to potential CAR-T therapies for stock in the biology specialist.

More from Strategy
AstraZeneca remains committed to investing in R&D and alliances in China, where Susan Galbraith, the UK major’s head of oncology R&D, sees innovation eventually reaching parity with the US and Europe.
The US FDA approved anti-CD19 antibody Uplizna, from Amgen’s $27.8bn purchase of Horizon in 2023, for IgG4-related disease – a larger market than its original NMOSD indication.
BeiGene’s Phase III ociperlimab joins the list of failed TIGIT inhibitors, as candidates from Roche, Merck & Co. and others have failed late-stage studies.
The German firm’s chairman, Hubertus von Baumbach, is adopting a ‘wait-and-see’ approach to the threat of pharma tariffs.
More from Business
The German firm’s chairman, Hubertus von Baumbach, is adopting a ‘wait-and-see’ approach to the threat of pharma tariffs.
Trump announced a 26% reciprocal tariff on India but a country-agnostic exemption of pharmaceuticals implies that the interests of Indian firms and the US consumer are protected for now. What is Indian pharma’s business exposure and what is domestic industry saying?
Industry lobbied for pharmaceuticals to be exempt from Trump’s sweeping US tariffs and the effort appears to have paid off. J&J, Lilly and Merck & Co. even got shout outs.