Inovio will receive this milestone payment for its contribution to the collaboration, which has so far demonstrated the high level of gene delivery and expression that is thought to be necessary for the induction of a therapeutic immune response. Merck has funded all clinical development costs of this candidate to date.
The milestone relates to Inovio’s collaboration and license with Merck initiated in May 2004 for the development of certain DNA vaccines. Further development of the product may lead to additional milestone payments and royalties to Inovio.
Avtar Dhillon, president and CEO of Inovio, said: “This is the second investigational DNA-based vaccine that Merck has advanced into clinical studies using Inovio’s proprietary electroporation delivery technology.”