Protocols: Merck punts ALK allergy meds; Gene editing gets mixed reviews by a wary public
Just a few months ago, Merck capped a 9-year alliance with Denmark’s ALK on new allergy medicines by noting that the FDA had accepted its biologics application for a dust mite treatment, MK-8237. And that followed two approvals, including an OK for Grastek back in 2014. But now, after posting disappointing sales from the alliance’s new products, the pharma giant is simply walking away from the drugs they worked on together. ALK said that Merck has decided to hand back all rights to its sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablets (SLIT-tablets) against grass, ragweed and house dust mite. The change-up came after Merck — now heavily committed to immuno-oncology — completed a reprioritization of resources. “The timing of this move is unexpected. However, we understand that MSD’s decision was based on a prioritisation of resources,” noted CEO Steen Riisgaard. “Our belief that North America represents an important opportunity for ALK’s SLIT-tablets is unchanged. The sales performance over the past two years has been below expectations. Our view is that success there is likely to follow the path seen in Europe, where slow early adoption has now given way to sustained growth.”
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