Merck, Finnish newco in gene therapy deal

Merck & Co. Inc (NYSE:MRK) granted newco FKD Therapies Oy (Kuopio, Finland) exclusive rights to a gene therapy cancer candidate in exchange for an equity stake. Founded in February, FKD has rights to develop and commercialize Merck's recombinant adenoviral interferon alfa-2b (rAd-IFN). The newco plans to begin Phase II testing in superficial bladder cancer next half. FKD also gained an option to develop two other Merck programs: a recombinant adenoviral p21 (rAd-p21) to treat glaucoma surgery failure, and conditionally replicating adenoviral technology (CRAV) to treat solid tumors. Details were not disclosed. ...