DARMSTADT, Germany,
December 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
- New agreement aims to translate CNIO research into new
potential treatment options for cancer patients
- License agreement encompasses two series of ATR inhibitors
and a screening platform
Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, today
announced that a license agreement has been signed with the Spanish
National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) in Madrid in the area of cancer drug development.
The global agreement will build upon CNIO research discoveries to
encourage the development and commercialization of new compounds in
the field of oncology.
Under the terms of the license agreement, CNIO has granted to
Merck exclusive rights to develop and commercialize their new
inhibitors of the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR)
kinase. In exchange, Merck will make an initial payment along with
other potential income of up to nearly € 19 million, as well as
royalties on net sales. The agreement encompasses the licensing of
two series of ATR inhibitors, as well as a screening platform to
validate the compounds, which have currently reached an advanced
preclinical stage.
"Part of Merck's commitment to oncology includes the focus on
strategic agreements that allow us to foster a constant flow of
innovations," said Andree Blaukat,
Head of Translational Innovation Platform Oncology for Merck
Serono. "We are convinced that working with like-minded
organizations, like the CNIO, will further strengthen our efforts
towards finding the next generation of breakthrough therapies."
"As a research organization, the CNIO is committed to fostering
and promoting innovation. Among other initiatives, the CNIO's
Experimental Therapeutics Program carries out early drug discovery
projects. The CNIO is delighted to be working with Merck to
hopefully translate this research into potential new treatment
options for patients with cancer," said María Blasco, Director of
the CNIO. "It is through collaborations with industry oncology
leaders that we can bring CNIO discoveries, such as those made by
the group led by Oscar Fernández-Capetillo, to patients, and
contribute new improved products to the battle against cancer."
ATR kinase has an important role in the response to DNA damage
and in facilitating cell survival. Due to the fact that tumor cells
accumulate more DNA damage than healthy cells, blocking ATR kinase
activity with selective inhibitors appears to be a strategy worth
investigating further for specific tumor types.
About the CNIO
The CNIO was created in 1998 by the National Health Institute
Carlos III, with the essential goal of developing research of
excellence and providing innovative technology in the field of
cancer. In the SIR World Report 2013, elaborated by the Scimago
research group to compare the scientific quality of research
Institutions worldwide, the CNIO occupies the second position among
the best cancer centres in the word (the first position among
Spanish centres). In line with these indicators, the Spanish
Government recognized the quality of the CNIO's scientific and
human resources programmes with the Severo
Ochoa Award, accrediting CNIO as one of the eight Spanish
Centres of Excellence in 2011.
Maria Blasco has held the
position of Director of the CNIO since June
2011. Since its creation, the CNIO has established
collaborations with several national and international companies.
Moreover, in the past three years, the CNIO has launched two
spin-off companies: Life Length, focused on marketing
in-house-developed technology for telomere length determination as
a novel method of disease risk prediction; and BioncoTech, which
develops a new treatment for highly aggressive melanoma. More
information: http://www.cnio.es
About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck. With
headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in
150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis,
infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as
cardiovascular diseases. In the United
States and Canada, EMD
Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck
Serono.
Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets
prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in
specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver
novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurology, oncology,
immuno-oncology and immunology.
For more information, please visit
http://www.merckserono.com.
All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same
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Merck is a leading pharmaceutical, chemical and life science
company with total revenues of € 11.2 billion in 2012, a history
that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approx. 38,000 employees
in 66 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from
entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under
the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an
approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining
approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was
expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.
SOURCE Merck Serono
