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MSD to Acquire CN201, an Investigational B-Cell Depletion Therapy, from Curon Biopharmaceutical

NextEdge Admin

09 Aug 2024

2 min 7 sec

MSD has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Curon Biopharmaceutical's investigational bispecific antibody, CN201, aimed at treating B-cell associated diseases. This acquisition, made through a subsidiary, includes full global rights to CN201 for an upfront payment of $700 million, with potential milestone payments of up to $600 million.

CN201 is a novel clinical-stage antibody currently in Phase 1 and Phase 1b/2 trials for relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Early data show that CN201 effectively targets and depletes circulating and tissue B cells, suggesting its potential in treating B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases. MSD plans to explore CN201's broader application in these areas.

Dr. Dean Y. Li, president of MSD Research Laboratories, emphasized the importance of expanding and diversifying MSD's pipeline, noting CN201’s promising early clinical data. Zhihong Chen, Curon’s president and CEO, highlighted MSD's capability to advance CN201's development.

The transaction, expected to close in the third quarter of 2024, is contingent on regulatory approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary conditions. MSD anticipates recording a pre-tax charge of approximately $750 million related to the acquisition in its non-GAAP results for the quarter in which the transaction closes. An update to MSD's financial outlook will be provided with its third-quarter 2024 results.