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
CRH to Acquire Aggregate Operations in Denmark and Finland7.10.2026 08:24:00 CEST | Press release
Transaction Advances CRH’s Strategy to Build Aggregates-led, Connected Portfolio Aligned With Growing Infrastructure Megatrends CRH (NYSE: CRH), the leading provider of building materials, today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire NCC Industry’s operations in Denmark and Finland from NCC AB. NCC Industry develops, produces and sells stone materials and asphalt products for construction and infrastructure projects. In Denmark NCC Industry’s national network of asphalt plants, land and marine based aggregates sites, together with its substantial high-quality reserves, will significantly expand CRH's presence in the market and its exposure to demand from major road, infrastructure and industrial projects. While in Finland NCC Industry’s attractive network of reserve backed hard-rock quarries, backfilling and recycling operations will complement CRH’s existing operations and connected portfolio of businesses in the Finnish market. Peter Buckley, President, CRH Internationa
Exein and Deutsche Telekom IoT Partner to Secure the Next Generation of Connected Devices7.10.2026 08:00:00 CEST | Press release
The companies will combine device-level security with global IoT connectivity to strengthen security for connected devices The partnership follows Exein's $270 million funding round, which included T.Capital, Deutsche Telekom's strategic investment arm, among its backers Exein, a global leader in physical AI and runtime security, today announced a strategic partnership with Deutsche Telekom IoT to bring integrated security to connected devices across Deutsche Telekom IoT’s ecosystem. With its own transatlantic network and around 600 roaming and satellite partners, Deutsche Telekom IoT provides worldwide connectivity for customers across industries and markets. The partnership pairs Exein's device-level security with Deutsche Telekom IoT’s global connectivity capabilities, addressing a gap that is becoming more urgent as intelligent, business-critical applications move directly onto devices operating in the field — robots, drones and industrial machines acting autonomously and making de
Stop Hoping for Secure AI and Start Building It: RSA Agent ID Closes the Agentic Identity Gap for Highly Regulated Industries7.10.2026 06:00:00 CEST | Press release
As AI, sovereignty, and board-level accountability converge on identity, RSA Agent ID enables finance, government, and regulated industries to find and register agents, prove the authority behind every consequential action, and run it where they choose At World Summit AI in the Netherlands, RSA, the identity standard for government agencies, finance, and high-assurance organizations, today announced RSA Agent ID, the agentic identity security platform for highly-regulated industries. RSA Agent ID discovers, secures, and governs AI agents across their lifecycle, letting regulated organizations find and register agents, prove the authority behind every consequential action, and run it where they choose. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261006426797/en/ Three forces are reshaping how organizations operate, and they are arriving at once. AI is transforming work and pushing agents into production faster than securit
The Empire State Building Observation Deck Hosts Annual Run-Up, Presented by NYU Langone Health and Powered by Merrell7.10.2026 04:25:00 CEST | Press release
The Empire State Building (ESB) hosted the 48th Annual Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up, presented by NYU Langone Health and powered by Merrell. In several designated heats, more than 200 runners from across the world raced up the building’s 1,576 stairs to reach the finish line on the iconic 86th Floor Observation Deck. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261006766024/en/ The Empire State Building Observation Deck Hosts Annual Run-Up, Presented by NYU Langone Health and Powered by Merrell “Athletes gather from around the globe to participate in the Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up, the world’s preeminent tower race,” said Tony Malkin, chairman and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust. “We congratulate all who participated in this ultimate feat of endurance at Tripadvisor’s number one top attraction in the U.S.” Ryoji Watanabe of Japan took first place in the Men’s Elite heat with a time of 1
Phenom Adds Major Headline Speakers as IAMPHENOM Europe Approaches Sold-Out Status6.10.2026 15:30:00 CEST | Press release
Second wave of esteemed speakers to bring real-world guidance on applying AI, agents and automation to improve hiring, development and retention Phenom, the leader in applied AI built to redesign work operations for hiring faster, developing better and retaining longer, today announced the newest wave of speakers for IAMPHENOM Europe 2026, the only applied AI event dedicated to human resources taking place on 4-5 November in Paris, France. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261006714151/en/ Phenom announced the newest wave of speakers for IAMPHENOM Europe 2026, the only applied AI event dedicated to human resources taking place on 4-5 November in Paris, France. The two-day conference gives attendees what other HR events can’t: an inside look at AI agents already in production, automated workflows tailored to specific business contexts and the dramatic results they are already delivering. Across keynotes, customer
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