TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) today announced an exclusive license
agreement with Merck, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, for the
global development and commercialization of MK-6884, an early stage
investigational imaging agent developed by Merck for use in Positron
Emission Tomography (PET) scans to measure cholinergic tone change in
vivo. MK-6884 has potential applications as an imaging agent across
multiple neurodegenerative diseases.
As part of the agreement, EBG will be responsible for the clinical
development and commercialization of MK-6884 in return for payment of
license fees, milestone payments and royalties on worldwide sales of any
future marketed products.
Lee Ann Gibbs, President of Enigma Biomedical Group said, “This is an
important step in accelerating critical biomarker research projects
globally. Licensing this additional Merck technology allows Enigma, and
its partner, Cerveau Technologies Inc., to continue to execute the
collective strategy of providing biomarkers to industry and academia to
accelerate research in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.”
“There is a critical need to develop imaging agents for the diagnosis
and characterization of neurodegenerative diseases,” said Jeff Evelhoch,
Vice President, Translational Biomarkers, Merck Research Laboratories.
“We are pleased to work with Enigma and Cerveau.”
In an early study presented at the American Society for Clinical
Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT) 2019 Annual Meeting, Merck
scientists reported that cholinergic tone alters M4 Positive Allosteric
Modulation (PAM) and PET imaging with [11C]MK-6884 was able
to measure cholinergic tone change. MK-6884 has a high specificity with
favorable physicochemical properties and in vivo pharmacokinetics
that warrant further clinical investigation as a potential PET
neuroimaging agent. Merck and Cerveau are planning an open-label Phase 1
study to investigate the safety and characterize the use of [11C]MK-6884.
“At Cerveau, we are focused on providing information and technologies to
researchers and clinicians to enable the improvement of brain health,”
said Rick Hiatt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cerveau
Technologies, Inc. “We are thrilled by the opportunity to once again
work with Merck to foster development of this exciting technology.
Consistent with our vision, we will make these novel imaging agents
available to our pharmaceutical industry and academic partners,
providing access to the broader scientific community.”
About Enigma Biomedical Group
Toronto-based Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) enhances access to key
technologies with a focus on molecular imaging and medicine. EBG offers
a suite of services to the pharmaceutical industry and clinical research
community to accelerate drug development and global access. EBG partners
with academic institutions and universities to foster and broaden access
to novel research.
About Cerveau Technologies, Inc.
Cerveau Technologies, Inc. is a partnership between Enigma Biomedical
Group, Inc. and Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group. Cerveau’s vision is to
globally develop diagnostics and technology that positively impact
patients with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
Contacts
Enigma Biomedical Group
Lee-Anne Gibbs
Lee@enigmabiomedicalgroup.com