Onco-Summaries: Daily Oncology Updates at a Glance

04/11/2025

Merck and Blackstone enter into a $700M R&D funding agreement for Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Ref)

Merck & Co./MSD entered into an agreement to receive funds managed by Blackstone Life Sciences for the development of sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT; TROP2 ADC).

• Under the terms of the agreement, Blackstone will pay Merck $700 million (which is non-refundable, subject to termination provisions provided for in the agreement) to fund a portion of the development costs for sac-TMT expected to be incurred throughout 2026

  
  

• In return, Blackstone is eligible to receive low-to-mid single-digit royalties on net sales of sac-TMT across all approved indications in Merck’s marketing territories contingent upon receipt of regulatory approval in the U.S. for first-line treatment of triple-negative-breast cancer based on findings of the TroFuse-011 clinical trial.

  
  

• To note, sac-TMT is being developed as part of an exclusive license and collaboration agreement between Merck and Sichuan Kelun-Biotech, which is unchanged by this agreement with Blackstone

  
  

• Merck will retain decision-making authority and control over the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of sac-TMT; Blackstone will not receive any rights to sac-TMT