Merck and Daiichi Sankyo Collaborate to Develop T-Cell Engager MK-6070 from Harpoon Acquisition

Partnership Details::

Merck and Daiichi Sankyo have expanded their global collaboration to develop and commercialize MK-6070, a delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) targeting T-cell engager.
Daiichi Sankyo is paying Merck $170 million upfront for joint development and commercialization rights.

Drug Background::

MK-6070 is an investigational DLL3-directed tri-specific T-cell engager, currently in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial as a monotherapy.
The drug targets DLL3, which is highly expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other neuroendocrine tumors.

Clinical Trials::

MK-6070 is being evaluated in combination with ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in patients with SCLC and other potential combinations.

Financial Arrangements::

Merck will receive an upfront payment of $170 million and will share R&D and commercialization expenses with Daiichi Sankyo globally, except in Japan where Merck retains exclusive rights.
Daiichi Sankyo will receive royalties based on sales in Japan.

Strategic Significance::

The collaboration supports Daiichi Sankyo’s strategy to create new standards of care for cancer patients worldwide and complements their existing antibody-drug conjugate collaboration.
The partnership demonstrates the shared commitment of both companies to advancing new medicines for patients.