Daiichi Sankyo and Merck expand collaboration

Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo (TYO: 4568) and US pharma giant Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) have expanded their existing global co-development and co-commercialization agreement to include Merck’s MK-6070, an investigational delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) targeting T-cell engager.

The companies will jointly develop and commercialize MK-6070 worldwide, except in Japan where Merck will maintain exclusive rights. Merck will be solely responsible for manufacturing and supply for MK-6070. Daiichi Sankyo’s shares closed up almost 11% at 5,426 yen following the announcement today.

Merck acquired rights to MK-6070 when it bought Harpoon for $650 million earlier this year.