AnaptysBio Seals Pact With Merck

As per the agreement, AnaptysBio is likely to be responsible for generating new antibodies to a specified disease target, using its proprietary somatic hypermutation (SHM) technology platform.

Merck is expected to receive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise antibodies optimised by AnaptysBio. AnaptysBio has received an upfront sum and is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties associated with the development and sale of any products derived from the collaboration.

Tom Smart, chairman and CEO of AnaptysBio, said: “Our SHM-Platform generates antibodies in a human-like manner that recapitulates in the laboratory what the body naturally does when creating antibodies to fight disease. And this is achieved without the constraints and limitations often imposed by the body which can limit success. The platform provides a powerful new approach for the generation of antibodies to meet challenging therapeutic design goals.”