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Merck acquires Chord Therapeutics to expand Neuroinflammatory Pipeline

19 December 2021 – Merck entered into an agreement to acquire Chord Therapeutics SA, a Swiss-based biotech company focused on rare neuroinflammatory diseases. With this step, Merck expands its neurology pipeline with the acquisition of the rights to develop cladribine for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Merck, a global science and technology company, has a long-standing legacy in neurology and immunology, with significant R&D and commercial experience in multiple sclerosis (MS). Cladribine is a well characterized molecule that has been extensively studied across MS and oncologic disorders and has shown promising results in exploratory studies in gMG and NMOSD. Cladribine selectively targets B and T cells, which are key contributors to autoimmune diseases such as NMOSD and gMG.

Walder Wyss advises Merck as lead counsel on this transaction. The Walder Wyss team is led by Christian Lütolf (Managing Associate, Corporate/M&A) and included Christian A. Schmid (Associate, Corporate/M&A), Christine Schweikard (Associate, IP/IT), Christoph Stutz (Counsel, Employment), Felix Tuchschmid (Associate, IPIT) and Livia Häberli (Trainee Lawyer, Corporate/M&A).

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