Merck announced that it has reached a mutual agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan, to terminate the license agreement on ceralifimod (ONO-4641) because it does not meet Merck’s threshold for continued investment. Merck obtained worldwide exclusive license rights from Ono Pharmaceutical for the development and commercialization of ceralifimod (ONO-4641) in multiple sclerosis (MS) outside of Japan, Korea and Taiwan in October 2011. The drug candidate is currently in clinical development (Phase 2). 

 

Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, remains committed to improving the lives of people with MS, and will continue to pursue external collaborations and internal development programs aimed at identifying and developing high quality candidate molecules with the goal of making a real difference in the lives of people with MS. 

 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the central nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, disabling neurological disease in young adults. It is estimated that approximately two million patients have MS worldwide. While symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs and problems with strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of MS are the most common.

 

Date: June 17, 2014

Source: Merck