GSK Makes I-O Move With Merck KGaA Deal Worth Up To €3.7bn

Already working with Pfizer on the immunotherapy Bavencio, Merck KGaA has bagged another big pharma player in GSK to progress what has been heralded by analysts as the German group's oncology game changer, M7824, which combines two powerful and synergistic anticancer mechanisms into one molecule.

Brainstorming
Merck KGaA and GSK See Bright Future For M7824 • Source: Shutterstock

GlaxoSmithKline PLC's return to the oncology space has been confirmed by the UK major making a hefty €300m upfront payment to get access to Merck KGAA's bifunctional immunotherapy M7824 (bintrafusp alfa).

M7824 has been designed to simultaneously target two immuno-suppressive pathways - transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) trap and an anti-programmed cell...

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

CEO Underlines AstraZeneca’s Increasingly US-Centric Growth Plans

 

Its multibillion dollar investment demonstrates the importance of the US to AstraZeneca, with half of its targeted $80bn revenues by 2030 set to come from the country, Pascal Soriot said as it presented strong second-quarter results.

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.

More from Anticancer

GSK’s Blenrep US Setback Could Go From Bad To Worse

 

With a US approval any time soon now looking unlikely, analysts are revising Blenrep’s peak sales guidance downwards.

Boehringer Ingelheim Expects Two Key Approvals In Second Half Of 2025

 

The privately held German pharma firm is hoping to bring a new generation of pulmonary fibrosis and cancer drugs to market but their commercial success is not yet a certainty.

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.