MSD targets bispecific antibody market with Curon purchase

Merck & Co (MSD) is broadening its pharmaceutical portfolio with the acquisition of CN201, a B cell-targeting therapy, from Curon Biopharmaceutical. Announced on August 9, MSD will secure the clinical stage candidate through a subsidiary with an initial cash outlay of $700 million. The deal also includes potential additional payments up to $600 million contingent on reaching developmental and regulatory milestones. Completion of the acquisition is projected for the third quarter of 2024.

CN201 is an intravenously administered bispecific antibody that targets CD3 and CD19 to engage T cells in the elimination of B cells. Currently, the drug is under Phase I clinical trial for treating relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) and a Phase Ib/II trial for precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).

MSD aims to explore CN201’s capability in treating B cell malignancies and plans to assess its potential in autoimmune diseases. Dr. Dean Li, president of MSD Research Laboratories, highlighted that early clinical results offer strong evidence of CN201's potential efficacy across a range of malignant and autoimmune conditions.

In addition to the CN201 acquisition, MSD recently finalized a $1.3 billion purchase of EyeBio, which provided access to Restoret (EYE-103), a trispecific antibody targeting the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) signaling pathway. MSD plans to commence a Phase IIb/III study of Restoret for treating diabetic macular edema (DME) in the second half of 2024.

MSD’s venture into the bispecific antibody sector marks a significant move into a field traditionally led by Amgen. According to GlobalData healthcare analyst Katarina Zahedi, there are currently 1,147 ongoing and planned bispecific antibody clinical trials for oncology as of August 2024. Akeso Therapeutics leads with 52 trials, while Amgen holds the eighth position with 24 trials. Despite losing some ground in the number of trials, Amgen remains a key player in developing bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTE), ranking second in BiTE clinical studies behind Roche.

Amgen’s pioneering BiTE therapy, Blincyto (blinatumomab), is also a CD3xCD19-targeting T-cell engager. First approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014 for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Blincyto is forecasted by GlobalData to generate $2 billion in total sales by 2030.

The bispecific antibody market for cancer treatment is anticipated to reach $6 billion globally by 2025, reflecting growing interest and investment in this therapeutic area. As MSD continues to build its presence in the bispecific antibody landscape, it aligns itself with a promising and competitive market, potentially transforming the treatment landscape for various malignancies and autoimmune diseases.