China-based Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHE: 002422) announced that US-based Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (MSD) has entered into a second licensing agreement, securing global development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights to an undisclosed investigational antibody drug conjugate (ADC) from Kelun’s pipeline. The deal includes an upfront payment of USD 35 million and up to USD 901 million in milestone payments, plus net sales commissions.
Deal Details
In May 2023, MSD signed a deal with Kelun for another ADC, SKB-264, targeting TROP2. The initial agreement covered territories outside Greater China and included upfront payments totaling USD 47 million, with a further USD 30 million milestone achieved in June. MSD committed to up to USD 1.36 billion in cumulative milestone payments for SKB-264.
Clinical Development
SKB-264 is currently in a Phase III trial for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and Phase II trials for non-small cell lung cancer and advanced solid tumors. Kelun and MSD plan to collaborate on early clinical development, including evaluating SKB-264 as a monotherapy and in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for advanced solid tumors. Kelun is also developing SKB-315, a Claudin 18.2-targeted ADC, in China.-Fineline Info & Tech
