C4 Therapeutics and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Team Up in Strategic Discovery Collaboration Against Critical Oncogenic Proteins
C4 Therapeutics, Inc. (C4T) (Nasdaq: CCCC) has announced a collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operating as EMD Serono in the U.S. and Canada, to develop two targeted protein degraders against oncogenic proteins within C4T's internal discovery pipeline.
Statement from CEO: C4 Therapeutics
Andrew Hirsch, President and CEO of C4 Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing its potential to transform cancer treatment. He highlighted the complementary strengths of both organizations and C4T's track record in developing innovative targeted protein degrader medicines.
Merck KGaA Leader on Collab
Paul Lyne, Head of Research Unit Oncology at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, also emphasized the collaboration's importance in expanding Merck's portfolio in targeted protein degradation projects. Lyne mentioned the utilization of C4 Therapeutics' expertise to advance degrader candidates and improve patient outcomes.
Funding Post Collaboration
- According to the agreement, C4T will receive an upfront payment of $16 million and ongoing funding for research efforts.
- The collaboration offers the potential for C4T to earn up to approximately $740 million in various milestone payments, along with royalties on future sales for each program.
Responsibilities Post Collab
C4T will utilize its TORPEDO® platform to discover degraders targeting oncogenic proteins, while Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will handle clinical development and commercialization.
Futuristic Step
This collaboration marks a significant step in cancer therapy research, bringing together the strengths of C4 Therapeutics and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to address critical medical needs in oncology.
