Under the agreement, Idera has agreed to exclusively license the therapeutic oncology applications, excluding their use with cancer vaccines, of its lead TLR9 agonists, IMO-2055 and IMO-2125. In addition, Merck and Idera have agreed to engage in research collaboration to identify a specified number of novel, follow-on TLR9 agonists, which will be derived using Idera’s chemistry-based approach and for which Merck will have the exclusive right to use in oncology applications other than cancer vaccines.
Under the terms of the agreement, Merck has agreed to pay an up-front license fee of $40 million to Idera. In addition, Idera is eligible to receive milestone payments of up to $381 million based on current exchange rates, success in achieving clinical development and royalties on sales of any products developed and commercialized by Merck based on IMO-2055, IMO-2125 or the follow-on TLR9 agonists.
Vincent Aurentz, head of portfolio management and business development for the Merck Serono division, said: “We believe that TLR9 agonists represent a novel mechanism of action with great potential and we look forward to advancing their development for various oncology indications.”