MERCK
20.12.2021 14:02:06 CET | Business Wire | Press release
Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced a strategically focused expansion of its neurology pipeline with the acquisition of the rights to develop cladribine for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Merck entered into an agreement to secure the global rights by acquiring Chord Therapeutics, a Swiss-based biotech company focused on rare neuroinflammatory diseases.
“Cladribine has a unique mechanism of action which is relevant in antibody-mediated disease such as NMOSD and gMG. In exploratory studies, cladribine demonstrated promising results in these diseases. These data have prompted us to initiate further development with cladribine in gMG and NMOSD to potentially bring a new therapeutic option to patients and expand our portfolio in this area,” said Danny Bar-Zohar, MD, Head of Global Development for the biopharma business of Merck.
Cladribine is a well characterized molecule that has been extensively studied across MS and oncologic disorders and has shown promising results in exploratory studies in gMG and NMOSD. Merck plans to leverage its existing capabilities to further develop an oral cladribine product tailored specifically for these indications. The transaction is expected to be closed in early 2022 after satisfactory completion of customary closing conditions.
Generalized myasthenia gravis is a disease in which patients experience weakness in ocular, limb, and respiratory muscles and that has a significant impact on Quality of Life. It is estimated that 700,000 people around the world are living with gMG. NMOSD, also known as Devic´s disease, is an autoimmune disease, often misdiagnosed as MS due to similar symptoms. NMOSD is estimated to impact 200,000 people around the world.
About Chord Therapeutics
Chord Therapeutics is a Swiss-based clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing drugs for patients with rare, life-threatening and severely disabling diseases. Chord is advancing its lead drug candidate, CRD1 (cladribine), for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). Chord Therapeutics was founded in 2014 and launched in October 2020 with Series A funding by its sole investor, Omega Funds, a leading international venture capital firm focused on delivering impactful medicines to patients.
Merck in Neurology and Immunology
Merck has a long-standing legacy in neurology and immunology, with significant R&D and commercial experience in multiple sclerosis (MS). The company`s current MS portfolio includes two products for the treatment of relapsing MS – Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) and MAVENCLAD® (cladribine tablets). Merck aims to improve the lives of patients by addressing areas of unmet medical needs. In addition to Merck`s commitment to MS, the company also has a pipeline focusing on discovering new therapies that have the potential in other neuroinflammatory and immune-mediated diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.
About Merck
Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics. Around 58,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2020, Merck generated sales of € 17.5 billion in 66 countries.
Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211220005062/en/
Link:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Body of Waves, a New Artwork Only at teamLab Planets TOKYO, Unveiled15.10.2026 17:00:00 CEST | Press release
The visitor experiences offered by “Existence in the Flow Creates Vortices” and “Waterfall of Ephemeral Crystals” have also been further expanded. teamLab Planets TOKYO (hereinafter referred to as “teamLab Planets”) has unveiled Body of Waves, a new artwork in which visitors enter a soft sculpture with their entire bodies. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261014474897/en/ teamLab, Body of Waves, 2026, from the series Soft Black Hole - Your Body Becomes a Space that Influences Another Body, 2016-© teamLab *Shot in real space. No AI or CGI. In addition, Existence in the Flow Creates Vortices—where vortices are created behind people as they climb against the flow—and Waterfall of Ephemeral Crystals—where shining particles cascade down to create a waterfall of light particles—have also evolved, further expanding the experience at teamLab Planets. New Artwork Body of Waves As you walk, your feet sink. This force is
BioLab Holdings Launches EmeraNova™ to Advance the Future of Tissue Restoration15.10.2026 17:00:00 CEST | Press release
Expanded vision reflects focus beyond wound care to advancing innovation across the full tissue restoration journey BioLab Holdings announced today a new, larger mission with the launch of EmeraNova™, a new corporate identity that reflects a broader ambition to advance tissue restoration across specialties, healing phases, and care settings. The launch marks the company’s efforts to build a global platform focused on identifying promising technologies and accelerating their path into clinical practice. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261015721831/en/ EmeraNova seeks partners around the world to bring promising technologies to market quickly and equip clinicians with advanced, effective solutions. EmeraNova represents a vision to pursue emerging (Emer) and new (Nova) technologies by building an expanding toolbox of tissue restoration solutions, world-class support, and ways to bring together expert voices and c
CTIBIOTECH™ Announces Strategic Partnership and MOU With Beijing Vital River to Advance Preclinical Biomedical Innovation in China15.10.2026 16:59:00 CEST | Press release
CTIBIOTECH™, a pioneering Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) and global leader in 3D bioprinting of human tissues, today announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and strategic partnership with Beijing Vital River, a Charles River company and provider of research models and associated preclinical services in China. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261014604195/en/ CTIBIOTECH signs strategic partnership with Beijing Vital River, a Charles River Laboratories company for commercialization of human tissue bioassays and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in Popular Republic of China The agreement was signed in Shanghai during the Shanghai – Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Economic Dialogue, organized by the Nouvel Institut Franco-Chinois (NIFC), as part of the official Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region delegation to China. This alliance is designed to bring CTIBIOTECH™'s unique p
Navan Unveils New Ways to Book, Expense, and Travel at Navigate Europe 202615.10.2026 16:30:00 CEST | Press release
New capabilities deliver agentic travel and expense management in Slack collaboration software, expand global card issuing, and simplify guest reimbursement Navan (NASDAQ: NAVN), the global AI-powered business travel and expense platform, unveiled a new set of capabilities and product updates at Navigate Europe, its flagship customer conference. The updates bring Navan into more workplace tools, expand card issuing to new currencies, and simplify guest reimbursement, all while giving businesses greater visibility and control. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261015250476/en/ “Business never stands still. Our customers are constantly expanding and expecting more value, which is why we continue to innovate and elevate every part of the employee experience,” said Michael Riegel, Chief Customer Officer at Navan. “We’ve spent years building the global technology infrastructure and expertise to make travel and expens
FlightSafety International to Deliver New Embraer E190-E2 Full-Flight Simulator to Azul Brazilian Airlines15.10.2026 16:05:00 CEST | Press release
New simulator will support commercial pilot training at Azul’s training center in Brazil FlightSafety International Inc. (FSI), the global leader in aviation training and simulation technology, today announced an agreement with Azul Brazilian Airlines to design and manufacture a new Embraer E190-300 (E190-E2) Level D Full-Flight Simulator. Anticipated for delivery in late 2027, the simulator will expand Azul’s pilot training capabilities at its training center in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. “Our partnership with Azul reflects a shared commitment to advancing aviation training and safety,” said Michele Posey, Executive Vice President, Sales, FlightSafety International. “This new simulator will provide Azul pilots with a highly realistic training environment that supports the development of critical skills and prepares them for the demands of commercial flight operations.” “This new simulator represents another important investment in Azul’s operational excellence and long-term growth s
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom