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
Andersen Global udvider sin afrikanske tilstedeværelse med tilføjelsen af Bravura11.3.2026 15:30:00 CET | Pressemeddelelse
Andersen Global styrker sin tilstedeværelse i Afrika gennem en samarbejdsaftale med Bravura, en førende uafhængig skatte- og finansrådgivningsvirksomhed med base i Sydafrika og Namibia. Bravura blev stiftet i 1999 og leverer skattemæssig og finansiel rådgivning til børsnoterede og private virksomheder, iværksættere og kapitalstærke familier i hele regionen. Bravura kombinerer dyb finansiel ekspertise med en entreprenant tankegang med henblik på at levere skræddersyede, værdiskabende strategier. Virksomhedens tværfaglige team yder rådgivning inden for fusioner og opkøb, kapitalrejsning, omstrukturering af selskaber og successionsplanlægning. Derudover tilbyder firmaet løsninger inden for skatte- og regnskabsstrategi, international skattestrukturering, global mobilitet og overholdelse af valutakontrolregler. "Hos Bravura arbejder vi for at omdefinere standarder og levere skræddersyede, resultatorienterede løsninger, der skaber varig værdi for vores kunder," udtalte Ian Matthews, chef for
Laserfiche Earns 5-Star Rating in the 2026 CRN® Partner Program Guide11.3.2026 15:00:00 CET | Press release
Laserfiche — the leading SaaS provider of intelligent content management — has been honored by CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, with a 5-Star Award in the 2026 CRN Partner Program Guide. This annual guide is an essential resource for partners seeking vendor partner programs that match their business goals and deliver high partner value. As organizations navigate growing pressure to increase productivity and respond to regulatory change, Laserfiche’s AI-powered document management solutions enable users to transform operations and achieve meaningful business results at scale. Partners that innovate with Laserfiche solutions have the opportunity to grow profits through the Laserfiche Partner Program, which equips them with the tools and resources needed to deliver customer success. Laserfiche’s partner ecosystem drives sustainable growth, delivers differentiated solutions and maximizes opportunities for both partners and their customers. Laserfiche provides comprehensive AI and clou
I-Pulse Launches iTerra Pulsed Power Solution for Weed Control Without Chemicals11.3.2026 14:30:00 CET | Press release
iTerra is developing a non-chemical alternative to herbicidesiTerra combines high pulsed power and AI for weed control to support healthier crops I-Pulse Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO Robert Friedland, I-Pulse Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Laurent Frescaline, and iTerra CEO, Romain Leray, are pleased to announce the launch of iTerra, an agricultural technology subsidiary dedicated to non-chemical weed control within I-Pulse, the world leader in pulsed power technologies. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260311080724/en/ iTerra leverages I-Pulse’s proprietary high pulsed power technology to eliminate weeds at the root without harming crops, disrupting soil microbiology, or leaving chemical residues. Using AI-driven detection with accuracy rates of up to 95% in early trials, the system targets each weed individually with controlled, high-energy pulses lasting just five milliseconds. The treated weeds r
Canva Introduces Magic Layers, Turning Static AI Outputs Into Editable Designs11.3.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Breakthrough in Canva Design Model now unlocks ability to transform flat content and images into layered and fully editable designs Canva, the world's leading all-in-one visual communication platform, today unveiled Magic Layers, a new breakthrough technology that turns any flat design or image into something you can edit, refine, and remix to suit your vision. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260311951174/en/ Magic Layers is a new breakthrough technology that turns any flat design or image into something you can edit, refine, and remix to suit your vision. Generative AI has triggered a flood of visual content, but most of it remains locked in static image files. Even small changes can require starting over, with reprompts that can unintentionally alter the entire design. Powered by years of internal research and Canva’s growing investment in its AI development arm, Magic Layers ushers in a new era of editable
Xsolla Releases New Industry Report Identifying the Biggest Opportunities for the Future of Video Games for Developers11.3.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
The Xsolla Report Reveals How Studios Are Unlocking New Revenue, Reaching Global Audiences, and Building Durable Competitive Advantages Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, today released the latest edition of The Xsolla Report, timed to coincide with this week's activations and collaborations in San Francisco. This edition provides insights from working with thousands of studios to map out where the industry’s biggest opportunities are emerging. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260311021020/en/ Graphic: Xsolla The gaming industry remains extraordinarily vibrant, and the playbook for success is changing. Studios that are adapting their commercial strategies, embracing direct-to-player commerce, expanding into high-growth global markets, and leveraging AI to sharpen operations are pulling ahead and building businesses designed to thrive for years to come. "The economics of game development have
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