Merck has inked an exclusive global licensing deal to use PDS Biotechnology’s innovative Versamune nanotechnology platform in Merck’s two investigational antigen-specific cancer immunotherapies that are now in pre-clinical development.
According to the terms of the deal, Merck receives the rights to use the Versamune nanotechnology platform for its two investigational antigen-specific cancer immunotherapies. PDS Biotechnology will get an upfront fee in cash, along with sales and commercial milestone fees and development milestone fees. The company will also earn royalties on sales of the goods integrating the technology.
The use of PDS Biotechnology’s proprietary Versamune nanotechnology platform with particular cancer-associated molecules has shown an increase in tumor regression rates when compared to major clinical adjuvants used in pre-clinical cancer models. The Versamune nanotechnology platform is a significant progression in the advancement of next-generation immunotherapies.
PDS Biotechnology’s Chief Executive, Dr. Frank Bedu-Addo stated that the company is happy about the utilization of its Versamune nanotechnology platform by Merck, an experienced player in the clinical advancement of cancer immunotherapies. For PDS Biotechnology, this licensing deal with Merck is highly significant because PDS Biotechnology’s business strategy is concentrated on a few strategic partnering or out-licensing deals at early clinical or preclinical stage.
Bedu-Addo further said that this is the phase where companies will be looking for to develop their pipelines by leveraging a new technology, which shows promise in a wide variety of clinical research applications for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and cancer.
Source: http://www.pdsbiotech.com