Obtaining ophthalmology to develop trispecific antibodies

Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) plans to acquire Eyebiotech Limited to accelerate the development of new treatments for vision disorders. The deal has a potential value of $3 billion. Under the terms of the acquisition, Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire all outstanding shares of EyeBio. The total includes an upfront payment of $1.3 billion and future milestone payments of up to $1.7 billion.

In addition to expanding MSD’s product portfolio, this new acquisition “significantly expands” its presence in ophthalmology, the company noted.

EyeBio emphasized that its offering includes the development of drug candidates aimed at preventing and treating vision loss associated with retinal vascular leakage.

Biologically promising

EyeBio’s lead candidate, Restoret™ (EYE103), is an investigational, potentially first-in-class tetravalent trispecific antibody. The drug acts “as an agonist of the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) signaling pathway,” the company said.

Restoret is administered by intravitreal injection to rebuild and maintain the blood-retina barrier in the eye.

The treatment is expected to enter a pivotal Phase IIb/III trial in diabetic macular edema in the second half of 2024. It is expected to enter the pivotal Phase IIb/III trial in the second half of 2024. Phase Ib/IIa AMARONE study in diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD).

Progress in the acquisition

“By combining our strengths, our goal is to rigorously advance and accelerate the development of a promising pipeline of candidates targeting retinal diseases,” said Dr. Dean Li, president of Merck Research Laboratories.

“As a subsidiary of Merck, EyeBio will be able to leverage the resources and infrastructure necessary to support the clinical, regulatory and commercial development of these candidates and help make them available to patients around the world,” Dr. David Guyer, CEO and President, EyeBio Explained.

The proposed acquisition of EyeBio will be completed subject to certain approvals and other customary conditions. MSD expected the transaction to be completed in the third quarter of 2024.