Merck and Samsung Bioepis Enter Collaboration Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Insulin Glargine Candidate for Diabetes
February 10, 2014 8:43 am ET
Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and
Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd., announced today that they have expanded their
collaboration with an agreement to develop, manufacture and
commercialize MK-1293, an insulin glargine candidate for the treatment
of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Phase III clinical studies
in type 1 and type 2 diabetes will begin soon.
“We look forward to collaborating with Samsung Bioepis on this insulin
glargine candidate, as diabetes is a top priority for the company,” said
Matt Strasburger, senior vice president, Diabetes, Global Human Health,
Merck. “Merck is strengthening its leadership in diabetes through our
own work and in collaboration with others, and this agreement will help
build our portfolio across the spectrum of the disease.”
“Samsung Bioepis is very pleased to extend the partnership with Merck to
the field of diabetes,” said Christopher Hansung Ko, Ph.D., CEO of
Samsung Bioepis. “This collaboration will bring better access to
patients with diabetes worldwide.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will collaborate on
clinical development, regulatory filings and manufacturing. If approved,
Merck will commercialize this candidate. This collaboration builds on
the agreement
made by the two companies in February 2013 to develop and commercialize
multiple biosimilar candidates.
About Samsung Bioepis
Samsung Bioepis, a joint venture between Samsung Biologics and Biogen
Idec, aims to develop affordable and high-quality biopharmaceutical and
biosimilar products. For more information, please visit www.samsungbioepis.com.
About Merck
Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be
well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada.
Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and
consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and
operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health
solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to
healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For
more information, visit www.merck.com
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This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based
upon the current beliefs and expectations of Merck’s management and are
subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no
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containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained
by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development,
including obtaining regulatory approval; Merck’s ability to accurately
predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays;
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dependence on the effectiveness of Merck’s patents and other protections
for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including
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materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be
found in Merck’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at
the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).
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Merck Media Inquiries
Kim Hamilton, 908-423-6831
or
Caroline Lappetito, 267-305-7639
or
Merck Investor Relations
Carol Ferguson, 908-423-4465
or
Samsung Media Inquiries
HongSeok Ji, +82-32-455-6102
or
Samsung Investor Relations
Sungjoon Park, +82-32-455-6120
