LifeArc goes in search of new medical miracles with Keytruda riches

The UK medical research charity LifeArc has already struck gold once in the medical discovery world through its involvement with Keytruda (pembrolizumab), the big-selling immuno-oncology drug sold by US pharma giant Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK).

Now it is seeking to play its part in the development of groundbreaking therapies again after cashing in on the majority its Keytruda rights. LifeArc has pocketed $1.3 billion from CPPIB Credit Europe, a subsidiary of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) – for a portion of its royalty interest in the PD-1 inhibitor, which the charity initially secured rights to as a result of its 2007 collaboration to humanize the antibody-based therapy.

The transaction with what is one of the world’s biggest retirement funds, will make LifeArc one of the UK’s leading medical research charities by size of its investment assets and allows it to significantly expand its mission of advancing research that has direct benefits for human health.