Eisai partners with Merck for cancer drug R&D
Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai has teamed up with US-based Merck in a deal intended to strengthen the worldwide development and commercialisation of cancer drug Lenvima.
Eisai announced the partnership yesterday, March 8.
Lenvima (lenvatinib mesylate) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, meaning it blocks the blood vessel supply to tumours. It is currently used to treat differentiated thyroid cancer that cannot be treated with radioactive iodine.
Merck’s own cancer drug, Keytruda (pembrolizumab), is an immunotherapy used to treat certain cancers, such as lung cancer.
Under the deal Lenvima will be developed on its own, as well as in combination with, Keytruda. Trial data has shown that Lenvima, when used with Keytruda, leads to tumour shrinkage in 63% of advanced kidney patients.
The companies said they will also develop the combination for use across six other cancer types (endometrial cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, head and neck cancer, bladder cancer and melanoma).
Merck will be entitled to half of Lenvima’s global sales revenue, including for its already approved uses (for thyroid cancer and, in combination with another drug, for kidney cancer).
Merck will pay Eisai $300 million upfront. The Japanese pharmaceutical company could receive a further $385 million if clinical and regulatory milestones are met, and Merck will receive $450 million towards research and development costs.
Haruo Naito, representative corporate officer and CEO of Eisai, said the collaboration with Merck will “expedite the creation of innovative treatments in this age of ‘cancer evolution’”.
“By providing new treatment options including for refractory cancers with no hopes for a cure to date, we are striving to further contribute to increasing the benefits provided to patients and their families,” he added.
Roger Perlmutter, president of Merck research laboratories, said the collaboration will broaden the company’s oncology portfolio.
“We aim to maximise the value of Lenvima for its current indications while jointly pursuing additional approvals in combination with Keytruda,” he continued.
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