MERZ-THERAPEUTICS
wMerz Therapeutics, a business of the Merz Group and a leader in the field of neurotoxins, and the Israeli start-up Vensica Therapeutics Ltd., a urology company, announced today that they have entered into a strategic license and collaboration agreement for the delivery of botulinum neurotoxin A (Xeomin®) ) to the bladder wall by using Vensica’s innovative ultrasound-assisted delivery catheter. By this, Merz Therapeutics becomes the exclusive toxin supplier of any needleless application for urological indications, such as overactive bladder, neurogenic bladder and interstitial cystitis and other urology indications.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210811005052/en/
Stefan Brinkmann, CEO Merz Therapeutics: “This strategic, long-term partnership with the Israeli Start-up Vensica allows us to expand into the attractive market of overactive bladder. It perfectly reflects the potential and capabilities of our neurotoxin platform for the development of sizeable non-movement disorder indications, pursuing our promise to create better outcomes for more patients. We strongly believe in the innovative and less invasive treatment of bladder diseases using Vensica’s ultrasound-assisted delivery catheter and are therefore looking forward to bringing this new treatment option to the patients together with our partner Vensica.”
Vensica CEO, Avner Geva commented, “We are very excited about our strategic partnership with Merz. By licensing Merz’s Botulinum Toxin A, Xeomin® , we’ve achieved an important milestone in our journey to changing the lives of urological patients. We hope that together with Merz, we will be able to provide, needle-less and minimal invasive procedures to over 85 million patients around the world, enabling them to benefit from a minimal discomfort, anesthesia-free, outpatient experience. The partnership with Merz, which includes not only exclusive licensing of Xeomin® , but also development support, enables us to accelerate our clinical trials and regulatory process. We are thrilled Merz realized the potential and need and chose to invest in innovative medical technologies that can benefit patients worldwide.”
“The collaboration with Vensica is a great example for our Merz Corporate Venture Capital Initiative,” states Jörg Bergler, COO Merz Group. “Here, we are investing globally in companies who are pursuing innovative, breakthrough science. As an experienced partner, we are not only granting Vensica access to our toxin but also offer know-how and experience for the development and preparation of the regulatory approval process in an advisory capacity."
The long-term partnership includes Merz’s intention to participate and invest in Vensica. Under the terms of the agreement, Merz already received, in addition to royalties, equity shares from Vensica with the option for further investment in the upcoming years and will be represented with a seat in the Board of Directors. Vensica will be responsible for the pre-clinical and clinical development of the needleless device and will prepare and file the marketing approval application. Upon the marketing approval, Merz will be responsible for the manufacturing and supply of Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA) and Vensica will manage commercial activities worldwide, except of Japan.
Vensica’s proprietary ultrasound-assisted drug delivery system is an innovative minimally invasive solution to urology. The system enables needleless delivery of drugs to the bladder wall in a simple and quick procedure. The platform drives treatment from the surgical center to the private clinics, as it removes the need for a highly trained urologist, staff, and anesthesia. The unique delivery profile enables uniform delivery of the neurotoxin to greater area of the bladder wall, which may increase its efficacy, such as earlier onset and longer effect. The device is at clinical development stage by Vensica Therapeutics an Israeli based company.
Xeomin® is being distributed by Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH in more than 70 countries to treat patients with upper and lower limb spasticity, cervical dystonia, blepharospasm or hypersalivation. Merz uses state-of-the-art technology in its dedicated facility in Dessau, Germany, meeting the highest international standards for biologic manufacturing. The highly purified neurotoxin, the only active ingredient in Xeomin® , is made by removing complexing proteins from botulinum toxin type A, which is produced by Clostridium botulinum, using purification technology developed by Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA. The lack of complexing proteins enables Xeomin® to reduce the production of neutralizing antibodies capable of lowering efficacy.
About Merz Therapeutics
Merz Therapeutics, a business of Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, is dedicated to improving the lives of patients around the world. With its relentless research, development, and culture of innovation, Merz Therapeutics strives to serve unmet patient needs and realize better outcomes. Merz Therapeutics seeks to address the unique needs of people who suffer from movement disorders, neurological conditions, liver disease, and other health conditions that severely impact patients’ quality of life. Merz Therapeutics is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany and is represented in more than 90 countries, with a North America affiliate based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH is part of the Merz Group, a privately held, family-owned company that has dedicated more than 110 years to developing innovations that meet patient and customer needs.
About Vensica Therapeutics Ltd.
Vensica is a urology therapeutics company based out of Israel. The company is developing a unique platform for drug delivery for several urinary bladder indications, based on a proprietary ultrasound-assisted drug delivery system. The company was founded in 2015 by Avner Geva, (Yale, B.Sc, Technion, M.Sc) and is led and backed by medical and therapeutic’s leaders, including chairman M.D., Ph.D, Nissim Darvish, Lew Pell, Laborie and The Trendlines Group.
About Merz
Merz Group is a global, diversified company based in Frankfurt, Germany, with the three businesses Merz Aesthetics, Merz Therapeutics and Merz Consumer Care. The company is family-owned for over 112 years and is distinguished by its commitment to innovation, long-term perspective, and focus on profitable growth. In fiscal year 2019/20 (June 30), Merz generated revenue of EUR 981.5 million. The company employs 3,212 people in 28 countries worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.merz.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210811005052/en/
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
The Estée Lauder Companies Announces Pricing of Secondary Offering of Class A Common Stock by Selling Stockholders5.11.2025 02:08:00 CET | Press release
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) today announces the pricing of the previously announced registered public offering (the “Offering”) of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, by trusts affiliated with descendants of Leonard A. Lauder (the “Selling Stockholders”) at a price to the public of $90 per share. The Selling Stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from the Offering. The Company is not selling any shares of Class A Common Stock in the Offering and will not receive any proceeds from the Offering. The Offering is expected to close on November 6, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Selling Stockholders intend to use the proceeds of the Offering to assist with the settlement of Leonard A. Lauder’s estate, including to satisfy certain estate obligations such as estate taxes, debts and administration expenses. Based on shares outstanding as of October 23, 2025, following completion of the offering, members of th
The Earthshot Prize and 500 Global Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance Climate Innovation in Emerging Markets5.11.2025 01:01:00 CET | Press release
500 Global and The Earthshot Prize are partnering on an investment strategy to identify, support and scale climate solutions across Emerging Markets.Supporting three themes at the intersection of climate impact and commercial viability: AgTech, Clean Tech, and Nature Tech.The strategy was announced at The Earthshot Prize Summit in Rio De Janeiro ahead of the 2025 Earthshot Prize Awards Night, targeting to roll out H1 of 2026. 500 Global, one of the world’s most active venture capital firms and The Earthshot Prize, the world’s most prestigious and impactful environmental award, are announcing today a new strategic partnership to accelerate climate innovation in Emerging Markets, as climate finance is more relevant than ever before. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251104586243/en/ 500 Global intends to develop and implement an investment strategy designed to de-risk early-stage investments, unlocking private cap
Cooler Master Announces the QUBE 540 PC Case, a Compact Size with Unlimited Creativity4.11.2025 23:58:00 CET | Press release
Designed for Creators, Gamers, and DIY Builders Cooler Master, a global leader in PC components and tech lifestyle solutions, today announced the QUBE 540, a compact case for today. The QUBE 540 offers orientation flexibility, so you can build a vertical or horizontal system that fits your desk or shelf. Inside, a modular interior lets you tailor the layout to your components and airflow preferences. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251104224092/en/ The QUBE 540 (Stardust Iron) with 3D-printed additions holding headphones and keyboard. The QUBE 540 keeps the clean, geometric design language of the QUBE series while raising the bar on practical adaptability. It fits comfortably in limited spaces such as small apartments and dorm rooms, and it looks at home in creator studios and living areas. The case ships in two colors, Moonstone or Stardust Iron, giving users options that blend with modern setups and room aes
IFF Reports Third Quarter 2025 Results4.11.2025 23:12:00 CET | Press release
Reaffirms Full Year 2025 Financial Guidance IFF (NYSE: IFF) reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025. Third Quarter 2025 Consolidated Summary: Management Commentary “Our third quarter results demonstrate continued execution in a tough operating environment,” said Erik Fyrwald, CEO of IFF. “Sales momentum in Scent and Taste remain solid, supported by strong new win contributions. This performance helped offset short-term pressures in Health and Biosciences - which we are addressing by strengthening our innovation and commercial capabilities - and a sales reduction in Food Ingredients as we focus on driving higher margins.” “Profitability in the quarter improved high-single digits year-over-year, with margin expansion driven predominantly by productivity. By maintaining a disciplined focus on operational excellence, we are driving sustained profitability while investing in IFF for long-term success.” “In a more challenging environment, we’re doing what we
The Estée Lauder Companies Announces Secondary Offering of Class A Common Stock by Selling Stockholders4.11.2025 22:47:00 CET | Press release
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) today announces that trusts affiliated with descendants of Leonard A. Lauder (the “Selling Stockholders”) propose to sell 11,301,323 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, through a proposed registered public offering (the “Offering”). The Selling Stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from the Offering. The Company is not selling any shares of Class A Common Stock in the Offering and will not receive any proceeds from the Offering. The Selling Stockholders intend to use the proceeds of the Offering to assist with the settlement of Leonard A. Lauder’s estate, including to satisfy certain estate obligations such as estate taxes, debts and administration expenses. Based on shares outstanding as of October 23, 2025, following completion of the offering, members of the Lauder family will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 82% of the outstanding voting power of the Company’s Common Stock. The Selling 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