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
Vena Completes Acterys Acquisition to Accelerate Orchestrated Planning for the Microsoft Ecosystem26.3.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
The combination connects AI-driven financial and operational planning, analytics and execution across Microsoft Excel and Power BI, removing decision latency for Microsoft-centric enterprises. Vena, the AI-powered Orchestrated Performance Management platform purpose-built to fully amplify the Microsoft technology ecosystem, today announced it has completed its acquisition of Acterys, the leading Microsoft Power BI–based operational planning and app development platform. The move strengthens Vena’s Orchestrated Planning solution and begins phased integration of the two platforms. Modern enterprises are struggling to keep up with the volatility and dynamism of the markets they serve. Market drivers and signals shift rapidly, and the ability to assess, plan and execute with confidence and speed is more important than ever. These forces, combined with overwhelming data density and disparity, have created a new constraint: decision latency—the time between signal and action. As that gap wid
Nearly Half of Global C-Suites Plan U.S. Expansion Within 12 Months, as Supply Chain and Capital Access Drive Growth26.3.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
• 45% of C-level executives plan to establish a U.S. legal entity within the next 12 months; a further 27% say they will consider entry within two to three years • 65% cite supply chain or manufacturing efficiency as the primary driver for U.S. expansion • 88% identify federal and state tax reporting as the most burdensome area of U.S. compliance Nearly half (45%) of global C-suite leaders plan to establish a legal entity in the United States within the next 12 months, highlighting continued demand for access to the U.S. market. This finding from the latest research by CSC—the leading provider of global business administration and compliance solutions—demonstrates the U.S. continues to attract investment from around the world, even as companies face an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. CSC surveyed 300 C-level executives at large organizations headquartered in Europe, the U.K., Asia Pacific, and South America to examine global sentiment toward U.S. market entry, including expa
Lone Star Funds Completes Acquisition of Alliance Ground International26.3.2026 13:30:00 CET | Press release
Lone Star Funds (“Lone Star”) today announced that an affiliate of Lone Star Fund XII, L.P. has completed the acquisition of Alliance Ground International (“AGI”), a leading North American airport services provider. “We are excited to partner with the AGI management team to drive the business forward,” said Donald Quintin, Chief Executive Officer of Lone Star. “The company has a superior service offering and a track record of success across its integrated operations. We see opportunities to continue to invest in the business and its people to continue to grow its capabilities and ensure it remains best-in-class in delivering for the aviation industry.” “Today marks an important next step for AGI as we move forward in partnership with Lone Star,” said Jared Azcuy, Chief Executive Officer of AGI. “Our commitment to safety, reliability, and operational service excellence remains unchanged. This partnership strengthens our ability to deliver for our airline partners and reinforces that the
Rubedo Life Sciences Announces Positive Preliminary Phase 1 Clinical Trial Results for Lead Drug Candidate RLS-1496 in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis, and Skin Aging26.3.2026 13:30:00 CET | Press release
The Phase 1 study of RLS-1496, the first human trial of a GPX4 (selective glutathione peroxidase 4) modulator, met its primary endpoint and also demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between target engagement and clinical improvement in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis RLS-1496 is a first-in-class disease-modifying mechanism targeting pathological senescent cells that drive inflammaging and chronic degenerative diseases of aging A second study for RLS-1496 – a Phase 1b/2a study in actinic keratosis (precancerous skin lesions) – is underway in the United States, with completion expected later this year Rubedo CEO Frederick Beddingfield, III, MD, PhD, FAAD, to moderate panel on senescence and skin at the Dermatology Innovation Forum (DIF) during the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting on Thursday, March 26, at 1:05 pm MT in Denver Oral presentation of data accepted at the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) from May 13-16, 2026, in Chicago Rubedo L
GE HealthCare announces lead industrial role in largest EU-funded IHI consortium to advance cardio-oncology care across Europe26.3.2026 13:30:00 CET | Press release
COMPASS is one of the largest public‑private partnerships under the European Union’s (EU) Innovative Health Initiative (IHI). The consortium aims to advance early detection and prediction of cardiotoxicity in cancer patients and cancer survivors. The initiative will leverage AI, advanced imaging, biomarkers, and integrated care pathways. GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC) today announced its leading industrial role in the new COMPASS consortium, a five-year initiative focused on improving precision cardio-oncology care and advancing early detection of cardiovascular risks in cancer patients across Europe. COMPASS combines clinical excellence with novel healthcare technology, and with a total budget of €50.5 million and more than sixty partners, it is one of the largest public-private partnerships under the IHI. Cardiovascular diseases are rising sharply among cancer patients and survivors, driven both by the increasing prevalence of pre‑existing cardiovascular conditions at diagnosis and by
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