Merck Sharp and Dohme and Harvard University ally on cancer research

Merck Sharp and Dohme has announced a new collaboration with Harvard University that will focus on the development of new cancer therapies.

The licence and research collaboration agreement will aim to further the development of small-molecule therapeutics for leukaemia and other cancers, based on the work of Harvard researcher Matthew Shair.

Novel compounds that target enzymes regulating transcription will be the focus of the research. Merck will take over development of the candidate therapeutics and will work with the Shair laboratory to further investigate the biology of transcriptional regulator enzymes.

The company will pay Harvard an upfront fee of $20 million (14.02 million pounds) will be responsible for the further development and commercialisation of the products, with the university also eligible to receive milestone payments and tiered royalties.

Dr Eric Rubin, vice-president and therapeutic area head for oncology early-stage development at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "This recent agreement with the Shair laboratory is rooted in our belief that collaboration is the cornerstone for improving cancer care and driving innovation."