Fenwick Represents Day One in Global License Agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Fenwick represented Day One Biopharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on accelerating new targeted therapies for children and adults with cancer, in its global licensing agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, for an exclusive license to develop and commercialize pimasertib as well as a second compound, MSC2015103B.

The two compounds are oral, highly selective small molecule allosteric inhibitors of MEK 1/2, a key enzyme in the MAPK signaling pathway. Dysregulation of the MAPK pathway has been shown to occur in many cancers.

Under the terms of the agreement, Day One will make an upfront payment to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, plus additional regulatory, approval and sales-based milestone payments. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will also receive royalties on potential net sales of pimasertib and MSC2015103B. More information can be obtained from Day One’s announcement.

The Fenwick transaction team was led by life sciences partner Stefano Quintini and included counsel Amy Manning.