Merck Collaborates With Samsung Bioepis To Develop Insulin Glargine Candidate MK-1293
Merck has expanded its collaboration with Samsung Bioepis Co. to develop, produce, and market its insulin glargine candidate MK-1293. The drug is intended for the treatment of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Matt Strasburger, Senior Vice President of Diabetes and Global Human Health at Merck said, “We look forward to collaborating with Samsung Bioepis on this insulin glargine candidate, as diabetes is a top priority for the company. Merck is strengthening its leadership in diabetes through our own work and in collaboration with others, and this agreement will help build our portfolio across the spectrum of the disease.”
The expansion builds upon an earlier collaboration between Merck and Samsung Bioepis in February of last year to jointly develop and market biosimilar candidates.
Samsung Bioepis CEO Christopher Hansung Ko said, “Samsung Bioepis is very pleased to extend the partnership with Merck to the field of diabetes. This collaboration will bring better access to patients with diabetes worldwide.”
In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that about 347 million people in the world have diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by deficient insulin production and necessitates daily administration of insulin into the body. Type 2 diabetes is a result of the body’s inability to use insulin effectively. WHO projects diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death in 2030.
MK-1293 is a generic version of Sanofi’s top-selling insulin treatment Lantus (glargine). The drug accounts for a third of Sanofi’s operating profit. If successful, Merck and Samsung Bioepis’ less expensive version will threaten Lantus’ $7 billion annual market.
Sanofi had earlier sued Eli Lilly for its generic version, which resulted in a 30-month delay of approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company could take the same action with Merck.
Collaborators Merck and Samsung Bioepis said MK-1293 late stage Phase II studies in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are set to begin soon.
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