MSD announces new collaborative partnership

Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) has announced that it is to collaborate with Advinus Therapeutics to develop new drugs and undertake clinical trials in the field of metabolic disorders.

The two firms are expected to develop “clinically validated” treatments for patients with metabolic disorders under the terms of the agreement, while MSD is to conduct late-stage trials into the drugs.

Advinus, which will receive payments of $74.5 million (39.5 million pounds) upon achieving targets stipulated in the agreement, will also receive royalties from the commercial sales of products developed under the partnership.

Commenting on the deal, Rasmi Barbhaiya, chief executive officer and managing director of Advinus, said: “This collaboration provides an avenue for Advinus to gain access to cutting-edge technologies from MSD while leveraging its India-based discovery and development capabilities.”

Ms Barbhaiya said that the agreement also demonstrates India’s current role in developing “innovative” drugs to the market by more cost-effective means.

Advinus states that the main focus of its research into metabolic disorders is in discovering treatments for diabetes, particularly investigating hepatic glucose production, peripheral insulin resistance and insulin secretion by beta cells.

The company also conducts research into obesity, addressing energy intake and use to develop weight-loss treatments.