Merck Extends its Strategic Collaboration with NGM Biopharmaceuticals

Shots:

• Merck exercises its option to extend its Feb,2015 agreement with NGM for development and commercialization of novel biologics therapies. NGM to receive $20M as an extension fee for R&D activities during the two-year extension period in Mar 2021 & 2022
• As part of the collaboration, in Jan,2019 Merck in-licensed NGM’s NASH therapy NGM313 (MK-3655), being evaluated in P-IIb for liver histology and glucose control in NASH patients
• Merck also terminates its license to NGM’s (GDF15) receptor program including NGM386 and NGM395 due to its inefficiency to produce weight loss in obesity. Upon termination, NGM to get an exclusive license & royalties on future sales of GDF15’s products     

Click here to read full press release/ article | Ref: Merck | Image: Boyd Mechanical Corp