BRIEF — Merck & Co launches Prevymis in Germany

Merck & Co has launched Prevymis (letermovir) in Germany.

Germany-based infectious diseases specialist AiCuris licensed the drug to the US pharma giant, which calls itself MSD outside North America, in 2012 and it has since been approved by regulators in Europe and the USA for prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and disease in adult CMV-seropositive recipients of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

As part of the deal, AiCuris received a 110 million euros ($135 million) upfront payment and is eligible for milestones of up to 332.5 million euros based on successful achievement of development, regulatory and commercialization goals.

Holger Zimmermann, chief executive of AiCuris, said: "To see Prevymis, a drug that initially was discovered in our laboratories, approved in the USA and Europe and now being launched in Germany, makes us very proud. The financial returns from this successful project provide AiCuris with the stability and flexibility to keep discovering and developing innovative therapies that have the potential to truly make a difference in the treatment of patients suffering from infectious diseases. The current success allows us to further develop AiCuris and build a sustained company.”