AiCuris, Merck deal

AiCuris granted Merck exclusive, worldwide rights to AiCuris' human cytomegalovirus (CMV) portfolio, including letermovir ( AIC246). AiCuris will receive €110 million ($142.5 million) up front and is eligible to receive up to €332.5 million ($430.6 million) in milestones, plus royalties. Earlier this year, AiCuris said letermovir met the co-primary endpoints in a Phase IIb trial to prevent CMV infection in human blood precursor cell (HBPC) transplant recipients. The quinazoline-based CMV has Orphan Drug designation in the EU and U.S. and Fast Track designation in the U.S. (see BioCentury, Feb. 20). ...