Moderna Therapeutics and Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced an expansion of their 2016 collaboration to develop and commercialize novel personalized messenger RNA (mRNA) cancer vaccines to now include shared antigen mRNA cancer vaccines, including mRNA-5671, Moderna’s mRNA KRAS cancer vaccine. Goodwin’s Life Sciences team is advising Moderna Therapeutics.
Under the expanded agreement, Merck will be responsible for clinical development of mRNA-5671 and associated costs while Moderna will be responsible for clinical supply and associated costs. Following the completion of human proof-of-concept (hPOC) studies, Merck may opt-in on further development and commercialization of mRNA-5671 upon payment of an undisclosed fee to Moderna. Following opt-in, the parties will share equally the global net profits and costs associated with mRNA-5671. As part of this agreement, the parties may also initiate and collaborate on other shared antigen mRNA cancer vaccine programs. Merck will also make a $125 million investment in Moderna in a newly priced Series H preferred equity.
Moderna Therapeutics pioneers the discovery and development of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines, an entirely new class of medicines that directs the body’s cells to produce intracellular or secreted proteins that can have a therapeutic or preventive benefit for both patients and healthy individuals.
The Goodwin team was led by partners Sarah Solomon, Kingsley Taft, John Mutkoski and Stuart Cable and included associates Erini Svokos and Noelle Dubiansky.
For additional details on the collaboration, please read the press release.