Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, has signed a global licensing, co-development, and commercialization agreement with BeiGene Co. Ltd., a biotech research and development company in China, for BeiGene-290. The compound, which is a potent poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor for the treatment of cancer, is currently in preclinical development and is expected to enter clinical development next year.

This is the second collaboration agreement between the two companies this year.

PARP inhibitors are thought to target an enzyme family, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, which is  involved in a number of cellular processes, including DNA repair and programmed cell death.

Under the terms of the collaboration, BeiGene will be responsible for the development and commercialization of BeiGene-290 in China, and Merck will be responsible for the development and commercialization of BeiGene-290 for the rest of the world. BeiGene will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible to receive further payments of up to €170 million (US$ 232 million) for the achievement of clinical development and potential commercial milestones in both the People’s Republic of China and rest of the world, as well as royalties on net sales.

“We are delighted to announce an expansion of our strategic partnership with BeiGene. Today's announcement highlights our commitment both to establishing strong R&D partnerships in China but also to our partner BeiGene, a preeminent Chinese life sciences company focused on discovering and developing innovative oncology drugs," said Dr Susan Jane Herbert, head of Global Business Development and Strategy for Merck Serono.

John Oyler, CEO of BeiGene said,: “We are very much looking forward to expanding further our collaboration with Merck to include BeiGene-290. This collaboration helps to accelerate the global development and commercialization of this China-discovered oncology innovation, something BeiGene could not have achieved alone. Furthermore this deal and Merck’s previous deal with BeiGene to develop the second generation, China-discovered BRAF inhibitor, BGB-283, demonstrate Merck’s deep commitment to China and external innovation.”

Both companies were recently awarded the 2013 BayHelix-Elsevier Award for Alliance of the Year. This award recognizes a ground-breaking pharmaceutical collaboration agreement involving a Chinese entity — one that is centered on advancing the future of science and pharmaceutical innovation. It is a significant recognition for both organizations, underscoring a shared  commitment to establishing strategic partnerships that accelerate the delivery of differentiated new therapies to people living with serious unmet medical needs.

Merck Serono offers leading brands in 150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular diseases.