As per the terms of the agreement, Affectis Pharma will license exclusive rights to Merck for the development and commercialization of the proposed compounds.
Affectis Pharma is entitled to receive a sum of EUR2.4m as an upfront payment and research funding from Merck.
Additionally, Affectis Pharma could receive up to EUR277m in milestones for the first three products to come out of the collaboration, as well as undisclosed royalties from Merck.
Affectis Pharma chief scientist officer Michael Boes said Affectis’ chemistry expertise puts special emphasis on brain penetration, which supports the development of oral P2X7 antagonists for the potential treatment of central nervous system diseases.