Merck Inc.acquires cCAM Biotherapeutuics and with it checkpoint inhibitor, CM 24 in Phase I

Merck Inc.,and cCAM Biotherapeutics announced that the companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Merck will acquire cCAM Biotherapeutics, a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel cancer immunotherapies. Under terms of the agreement, Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire all outstanding stock of cCAM in exchange for an upfront payment of $95 million in cash. In addition, cCAM shareholders of record are eligible to receive a total of up to $510 million associated with the attainment of certain clinical development, regulatory and commercial milestones. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions. The acquisition provides Merck with several early immunotherapy candidates including cCAM Biotherapeutics� lead pipeline candidate, CM-24 � a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the immune checkpoint protein CEACAM1 that is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 study for the treatment of advanced or recurrent malignancies, including melanoma, non-small-cell lung, bladder, gastric, colorectal, and ovarian cancers.