07.08.15
Allergan has entered an agreement to acquire the exclusive worldwide rights to Merck's investigational small molecule oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists being developed for the treatment and prevention of migraine. Allergan will pay $250 million upfront, and Merck will be entitled to receive development and commercial milestones and royalties on sales. Allergan will be responsible for development, manufacturing and commercialization upon approval.
The two CGRP receptor antagonists are MK-1602, an oral small molecule antagonist for the acute treatment of migraines, which is expected to enter Phase III development in 2016, and MK-8031, an oral small molecule antagonist for the prevention of migraines, expected to begin Phase II trials in 2016.
Back in July 2011, Merck discontinued development of an earlier investigational oral CGRP antagonist, Telcagepant (MK-0974), after some patients showed evidence of liver toxicity. The MK-1602 & MK-8031 molecules belong to a different chemical series than Telcagepant, and in clinical trials have not shown evidence of liver toxicity.
"The agreement to acquire exclusive worldwide rights to Merck's CGRP migraine development program builds on our existing strength in neurosciences and helps position Allergan as a potential leader in the acute treatment of migraine and prevention of migraine for millions of patients," said David Nicholson, executive vice president, Global Brands R&D at Allergan. "With two novel oral therapies in development for treating and preventing migraines, we have the opportunity to provide therapies that could alleviate an intensely debilitating and immobilizing condition for patients worldwide."
"We are pleased that this agreement will enable Allergan to advance these promising molecules for the potential benefit of migraine sufferers, and that Merck will be able to continue to further focus our research and development resources on our priority therapeutic areas," said Iain D. Dukes, senior vice president of business development & licensing, Merck Research Laboratories.
The two CGRP receptor antagonists are MK-1602, an oral small molecule antagonist for the acute treatment of migraines, which is expected to enter Phase III development in 2016, and MK-8031, an oral small molecule antagonist for the prevention of migraines, expected to begin Phase II trials in 2016.
Back in July 2011, Merck discontinued development of an earlier investigational oral CGRP antagonist, Telcagepant (MK-0974), after some patients showed evidence of liver toxicity. The MK-1602 & MK-8031 molecules belong to a different chemical series than Telcagepant, and in clinical trials have not shown evidence of liver toxicity.
"The agreement to acquire exclusive worldwide rights to Merck's CGRP migraine development program builds on our existing strength in neurosciences and helps position Allergan as a potential leader in the acute treatment of migraine and prevention of migraine for millions of patients," said David Nicholson, executive vice president, Global Brands R&D at Allergan. "With two novel oral therapies in development for treating and preventing migraines, we have the opportunity to provide therapies that could alleviate an intensely debilitating and immobilizing condition for patients worldwide."
"We are pleased that this agreement will enable Allergan to advance these promising molecules for the potential benefit of migraine sufferers, and that Merck will be able to continue to further focus our research and development resources on our priority therapeutic areas," said Iain D. Dukes, senior vice president of business development & licensing, Merck Research Laboratories.