Under the terms of the agreement, ImClone Systems, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck will develop Erbitux for the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), as well as for the treatment of any other cancers, the parties agree to pursue.
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck KGaA will utilize their respective sales forces in Japan, and the three companies will share profits/losses realized as a result of the agreement. Merck Serono Japan will distribute the product and record the sales for the collaboration.
John Johnson, CEO of Imclone Systems, said: “We are pleased to have established this agreement with our Erbitux partners Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck KGaA. Doing so puts the companies in a solid position to make Erbitux available to EGFR-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer patients in Japan upon a final decision from Japanese regulatory officials.”