Merck ending allergy tablet deal with ALK-Abello
ALK-Abello A/S(CSE:ALK-B) fell DKK206 (18%) to DKK968 on Wednesday after it said Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) will return North American rights to the biotech's sublingual allergy immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets. ALK-Abello said Merck, which has the rights under a 2007 deal, based its decision on a strategic review of its priorities.
After a transition period, ALK-Abello will regain rights to SLIT tablets against grass, ragweed and house dust mite (HDM) allergies. The company and Merck market Grazax/ Grastek to treat grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, and Ragwitek for ragweed-pollen induced allergic rhinitis. FDA is reviewing a BLA from Merck for MK-8237, the HDM SLIT tablet, to treat HDM-induced allergic rhinitis, with a PDUFA date in 2017. ALK-Abello said it will take a greater role in HDM SLIT's registration process as it continues. ...