Daiichi Sankyo, Merck expand partnership to include DLL3-targeting T-Cell engager MK-6070

USA—Daiichi Sankyo, Japan’s second-largest pharmaceutical company, and Merck have announced an expansion of their existing global co-development and co-commercialization agreement.

The expansion will now include Merck’s MK-6070, an investigational delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) targeting T-cell engager. This canonical Notch ligand is expressed at high levels in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine tumours

This investigational drug is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT04471727) to assess its safety and efficacy in these cancer types.

Previously, the collaboration focused on three investigational DXd antibody-drug conjugates, reflecting both companies’ commitment to advancing innovative cancer therapies.

Under the new agreement, Daiichi Sankyo and Merck will jointly develop and commercialize MK-6070 worldwide, except for Japan, where Merck will retain exclusive rights.

In particular, Merck will be solely responsible for the manufacturing and supply of MK-6070.

Furthermore, the companies have outlined plans to explore the potential of MK-6070 in combination with ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in certain patients with SCLC, as well as in other possible combination therapies.

Merck acquired MK-6070 by acquiring Harpoon Therapeutics, highlighting its strategic focus on expanding its oncology pipeline.

On the financial front, the agreement stipulates that Merck will receive an upfront cash payment of US$170 million.

Additionally, Merck has fulfilled a contingent obligation from the original collaboration agreement.

Both companies have agreed to share research and development (R&D) and commercialization expenses, as well as profits, on a global scale.

However, in Japan, Merck retains exclusive rights, while Daiichi Sankyo will receive royalties based on sales.

The R&D expenses related to the combination of MK-6070 and ifinatamab deruxtecan will be shared in line with the original terms of the ifinatamab deruxtecan agreement.

Merck will also assume responsibility for recording global sales of MK-6070.

Commenting on the expanded partnership, Ken Takeshita, MD, global head of R&D at Daiichi Sankyo, emphasized that the addition of a DLL3 T-cell engager aligns with Daiichi Sankyo’s strategy to establish new standards of care for cancer patients worldwide.

He expressed enthusiasm about continuing the collaboration with Merck, noting that the inclusion of MK-6070 offers potential synergies with their established antibody-drug conjugate collaboration, particularly with ifinatamab deruxtecan.

Takeshita highlighted both companies’ shared commitment to advancing new medicines for patients.

Adding to this, Dr. Dean Y. Li, president of Merck Research Laboratories, highlighted the urgent need for new treatment approaches for small cell lung cancer, an aggressive and fast-growing form of lung cancer.

Dr. Li expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo noting that he  looks forward to evaluating the novel combination of MK-6070 and ifinatamab deruxtecan in SCLC and other cancers, emphasizing the potential impact on patient outcomes.