NGM Biopharma, Merck Amend Development Pact To Focus On Retinal, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Targets

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  • NGM Biopharmaceuticals Inc NGM has amended and restated an agreement with Merck & Co Inc MRK to extend their ongoing collaboration through March 2024 with a narrower scope. 
  • The collaboration will focus primarily on developing treatments for retinal and cardiovascular & metabolic (CVM) diseases, including heart failure. 
  • The amended collaboration's primary focus on retinal and CVM diseases builds upon progress with NGM621 and MK-3655, both discovered by NGM under the partnership.
  • Merck retains an option to license those programs being advanced under the amended collaboration. 
  • NGM gains worldwide rights to its disclosed oncology portfolio and all preclinical and current, and future research assets falling outside of the amended collaboration's narrower scope, subject to a low single-digit net sales royalty to Merck.
  • Under the terms of the amended collaboration, Merck will provide approximately $120 million in R&D funding to NGM through March 2024, including $86 million for the period from April 2021 through March 2022, plus additional potential option payments if Merck exercises any license option. 
  • Price Action: NGM shares are up 5.93% at $20.89, and MRK stock is up 0.24% at $77.96 during the market session on the last check Thursday.
Posted In: BiotechNewsHealth CareContractsSmall CapGeneralBriefs
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