Eiger expanding deal with Merck for lonafarnib

16 May 2018

USA-based rare diseases specialist Eiger BioPharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: EIGR) has expanded its licensing agreement with Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) to include rights to develop the investigational farnesyltransferase inhibitor lonafarnib for the treatment of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS or Progeria), a rare and fatal genetic condition characterized by accelerated aging in children.

The expanded agreement provides Eiger with commercial and distribution rights to lonafarnib across the licensed and approved indications in the future. News of the deal caused Eiger’s shares to rise 8.26% to $11.85 by mid-morning trading today.

Eiger is also developing lonafarnib, as well as pegylated interferon Lambda, for hepatitis Delta. Both candidates are currently in Phase II

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