Genmab acquired Merus in a complete buy-out $8 billion deal to further strengthen its antibody-based late clinical programs portfolio.
I recently wrote about Merus´ proprietary technology and clinical programs. You can find the link to the article here.
Let’s now have a quick look at Genmab’s pipeline and what Merus adds on top.
🧬 COMPANY’S FOCUS & TECHNOLOGY
Genmab has built one of the broadest antibody platforms in biotech, including:
- DuoBody® (bispecific antibodies)
- HexaBody® / DuoHexaBody® (improved immune activation)
- ADC platforms
So far, the company has already contributed to 8 FDA-approved antibodies in collaboration with partners.
Genmab´s innovative antibody platforms make the company a key global player in antibody therapeutics.
💊 CLINICAL PIPELINE SNAPSHOT (pre-Merus)
Genmab’s core focus is oncology, with a mix of hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
Here are some of their most important late-stage programs:
- Epcoritamab (Epkinly®): CD3xCD20 bispecific / approved in LBCL /in multiple Ph3 studies.
- Rinatabart sesutecan (Rina-S): FRα ADC / in Ph3 for ovarian & endometrial cancers.
- Acasunlimab (PD-L1x4-1BB): bispecific checkpoint antibody / Ph3 in NSCLC.
In addition, Genmab’s pipeline includes multiple early-stage ADCs and immune-agonist bispecifics (1).
🔄 WHAT MERUS ADDS
The acquisition of Merus will bring two major benefits:
1️⃣ Multiclonics® platform: innovative bispecific antibody platform
2️⃣ Late-stage clinical programs: highly promising programs, including:
📌 Petosemtamab (MCLA-158): EGFRxLGR5 bispecific / in Ph3 for head & neck squamous cell carcinoma / in Ph2for colorectal cancer.
📌Zenocutuzumab (BIZENGRI®): HER2xHER3 bispecific / Approved for NRG1 fusion-positive tumors.
📌Early pipeline: additional bispecific antibodies targeting novel tumor antigens.
💡KEY TAKEAWAY MESSAGE
With the acquisition of Merus, Genmab further consolidates and diversifies its antibody therapeutics portfolio, consolidating both late clinical and early discovery programs.
Currently, Genmab remains a leader in antibody therapeutics spanning both hematological and solid tumors, making it a central player in the next-gen immunotherapuetics biotechs.
