Merus and Biohaven Announce Collaboration to Co-Develop Three Novel Bispecific ADC Programs

Collaboration Overview - Biohaven Ltd and Merus N V announced a research collaboration and license agreement to co-develop three novel bispecific antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) leveraging Merus' Biclonics technology platform and Biohaven's next-generation ADC conjugation and payload platform technologies [1] - The collaboration aims to rapidly advance bispecific antibody candidate ADCs based on the Merus Biclonics platform, combining Merus' validated Biclonics technology with Biohaven's innovative ADC technologies [4][6] Agreement Terms - Biohaven is responsible for the preclinical ADC generation of three Merus bispecific antibodies under mutually agreed research plans [3] - The agreement includes two Merus bispecific programs generated using the Biclonics platform and one program under preclinical research by Merus [3] - Merus will receive an upfront payment and license fee at ADC candidate nomination of the first program, with Merus assuming the preclinical bispecific antibody generation cost and Biohaven assuming the preclinical ADC generation cost [5] - Upon mutual agreement to advance each program, the parties plan to share further development and commercialization costs [5] Technology and Expertise - Merus' Biclonics technology has been validated by the recent FDA approval of Bizengri and continued clinical success with petosemtamab [4][6] - Biohaven brings expertise in ADC research and development, along with a broad range of linker/payload and conjugation technologies [4][6] - The collaboration aims to generate new and differentiated bispecific therapies with greater potency and selectivity over currently available monoclonal ADC approaches [4][6] Company Background - Merus is a clinical-stage oncology company developing innovative full-length human bispecific and trispecific antibody therapeutics, referred to as Multiclonics [9] - Biohaven is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of life-changing treatments in key therapeutic areas, including immunology, neuroscience, and oncology [10] Contact Information - Merus Investor and Media Inquiries: Sherri Spear, SVP Investor Relations and Strategic Communications, 617-821-3246, s spear@merus nl; Kathleen Farren, Assoc Director IR/Corp Comms, 617-230-4165, k farren@merus nl [12] - Biohaven Investor and Media Inquiries: Jennifer Porcelli, Vice President, Investor Relations, jennifer porcelli@biohavenpharma com, +1 (201) 248-0741; Mike Beyer, Sam Brown Inc, mikebeyer@sambrown com, +1 (312) 961-2502 [12]