For information on current clinical trials, please go to http://clinicaltrials.gov/ and type in “MM-121″ in the search box.
MM-121 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets ErbB3, a cell surface receptor, or protein attached to the cell membrane that mediates communication inside and outside the cell, that Merrimack’s Network Biology approach identified as a potentially important target in a range of cancers. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein normally produced by cells of the immune system that binds to just one epitope, or chemical structure, on a protein or other structure. MM-121 is designed to inhibit cancer growth directly, restore sensitivity to drugs to which a tumor has become resistant and delay the development of resistance of a tumor to other agents. In collaboration with Sanofi, Merrimack is testing MM-121 in combination with both chemotherapies and other targeted agents across a wide spectrum of solid tumors, including lung, breast and ovarian cancers.
Merrimack partnered MM-121 with Sanofi after they initiated Phase 1 clinical development of this product candidate. Sanofi paid Merrimack an upfront license fee of $60 million and is responsible for all of the development and manufacturing costs under the collaboration. Merrimack is entitled to tiered royalties and aggregate clinical, regulatory and sales milestones of up to $470 million, of which Merrimack has already received $10 million for achieving a clinical milestone.