Merck Acquires Rights to Kelun-Biotech’s ADC Drug Candidate in Inked Deal

Merck has inked a collaboration and licensing deal with Kelun-Biotech that will give it access to an investigational antibody drug candidate (ADC) for treatment of solid tumors.

Under the deal, the companies will collaborate on the early clinical development and Merck will develop, manufacture and commercialize the drug.

Kelun-Biotech subsidiary KLUS Pharma has three investigational ADC drugs in the pipeline. The company is developing drugs for several diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease.

Kelun-Biotech will receive an upfront payment of $35 million and is eligible to receive future development, approval and commercial milestone payments totaling up to $901 million.