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
Tanium Reappoints Co-Founder Orion Hindawi as CEO to Drive Next Chapter of Growth20.8.2026 21:10:00 CEST | Press release
Company to focus on deepening its Autonomous IT capabilities, further expanding AI offerings across its portfolio, and strengthening customer and partner engagement Tanium, a leader in Autonomous IT, today announced that Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Orion Hindawi has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Dan Streetman is stepping down as CEO and as a member of the Board after leading Tanium for the last three years, during which time Tanium scaled its go-to-market operations and secured strong industry analyst recognition for innovation within the Tanium platform. Streetman will continue to advise Tanium as part of the transition and co-founder David Hindawi will return to the role of Chairman of the Board. With this foundation in place, this transition positions Tanium to deepen its Autonomous IT capabilities and further expand AI offerings across its portfolio and strengthen customer and partner engagement. The Hindawis co-founded Tanium in 2007 to build
PCI Energy Solutions to Join Mitsubishi Electric, Reinforcing Long-Term Commitment to Customers, Employees, and the Energy Industry20.8.2026 19:46:00 CEST | Press release
Mitsubishi Electric to retain PCI’s core management team and support continuity of operations, customer service, and product innovation PCI Energy Solutions ("PCI"), a leading U.S.-based provider of enterprise software for energy management and optimization, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The agreement was executed on August 20, 2026 (Japan Standard Time). The Transaction represents a strong endorsement of PCI's business, technology, employees, customer relationships and position in the energy industry. Mitsubishi Electric intends to retain PCI's core management team following completion of the Transaction, enabling PCI to preserve leadership continuity, industry expertise and its customer-focused operating model while benefiting from Mitsubishi Electric's global scale, complementary capabilities and long-term investment capacity. The agreement has been signed, but the Transaction has not yet closed. PC
Perma-Pipe Secures More Than $67 Million in New Orders in the Second Quarter of 202620.8.2026 19:02:00 CEST | Press release
Awards include significant Oil & Gas projects in MENA and Canada, as well as the Company's largest single leak detection project to date and continued growth at its new Ohio facility. Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPIH), a global leader in engineered piping and corrosion protection solutions, today announced that the Company secured more than $67 million in new orders during the second quarter of fiscal 2026, representing strong demand across its strategically important end-markets and geographies. The orders further strengthen Perma-Pipe's backlog and provide increased visibility into future revenue growth. The Company's backlog remains well diversified across geographies, customers and end-markets. The Company continued to see strong demand across its core Oil & Gas and infrastructure markets, while also securing important new business in emerging applications, including advanced leak detection and monitoring solutions. During the quarter, Perma-Pipe secured sizabl
Impartner Launches the First CPQ Built for Partners20.8.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
New quote management capability brings configure, price, and quote (CPQ) into Impartner’s PRM platform, connecting product configuration, pricing, segmentation, and approvals. Impartner, the leading partner revenue orchestration platform, today announced the launch ofImpartner CPQ, giving partners a direct path to create and advance quotes within the Impartner PRM platform. The new capability enables faster movement from opportunity to submission while giving vendors control over the rules, products, pricing, and approvals that govern each transaction. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260820479441/en/ Give partners a faster path from opportunity to quote with Impartner's CPQ. For many partnership programs, quoting remains a largely manual process. Partners often depend on vendor sales teams to prepare quotes because traditional CPQ systems are designed primarily for direct sellers or require additional licensin
Scientist.com Expands R&D Platform Capabilities with SciSure’s Integrated LabOps Inventory and Compliance Services20.8.2026 14:55:00 CEST | Press release
Strategic integration connects scientific procurement with lab operations, inventory, and EHS compliance Scientist.com, the life sciences industry’s leading AI-enabled R&D orchestration platform and digital marketplace, today announced an expansion of its platform capabilities through an integration with SciSure’s lab management and EHS compliance tools. The partnership gives biopharma organizations a more unified workflow connecting scientific procurement directly with laboratory operations. “By bringing SciSure’s inventory management, safety, and compliance capabilities into the Scientist.com ecosystem, we are closing the gap between sourcing reagents and safely managing them in the laboratory,” said Jon Zibell, VP of Global Alliances at SciSure. “Together, our platforms connect product information, safety checks, and inventory management, giving research, lab operations, and EHS teams greater visibility from purchase request through disposal.” The integration connects procurement, 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