EMD Serono, Opexa Amend MS Pact

EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, and Opexa Therapeutics, have amended their agreement for the development and commercialization of EMD’s investigational compound Tcelna (imilecleucel-T), which has received Fast Track Designation from the FDA.
 
A $3 million payment to Opexa will support the ongoing Phase IIb Abili-T trial in patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS).
 
In February 2013, the companies entered an agreement, at which time Opexa received $5 million upfront granting an option to EMD Serono for the exclusive license of the Tcelna (imilecleucel-T) program for the treatment of MS. The option may be exercised prior to or upon completion of Opexa’s ongoing Abili-T Trial, for which data is expected in 2H16.
 
Belen Garijo, executive board member of Merck KGaA, and chief executive officer of Healthcare, said, “Building on our strong heritage in multiple sclerosis, we will continue to focus our innovation efforts on areas where we can make a difference, such as secondary progressive multiple sclerosis where there are currently very limited therapeutic options. The additional support to Opexa to further develop Tcelna (imilecleucel-T) is another sign of our long-standing and continuing commitment to improving the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis.”
 
“We are very pleased with this show of support by EMD Serono towards Opexa’s potential personalized immunotherapy,” said Neil K. Warma, Opexa’s president and chief executive officer. “Our relationship with EMD Serono over the last two years has been productive and we are pleased to strengthen this relationship and expand our development efforts. We continue to focus on the careful execution of our ongoing Abili-T Trial in SPMS patients and look forward to our continued collaboration with EMD Serono.”