Merck Expands Oncology Pipeline with Epitopea Collaboration to Identify Novel Tumor Antigens

Merck & Co. has entered into a strategic collaboration with cancer biotech Epitopea, marking another significant step in the pharmaceutical giant's efforts to bolster its oncology portfolio. The partnership, announced on February 19, 2025, aims to identify previously undetected tumor antigens that could lead to the development of innovative off-the-shelf immunotherapies.

Deal Structure and Financial Terms

Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will make an undisclosed upfront payment to Epitopea and has committed to potential milestone payments of up to $300 million per product. In exchange, Merck gains exclusive rights to develop and commercialize any therapeutics resulting from the collaboration. The deal focuses on a prespecified solid tumor type, leveraging Epitopea's proprietary CryptoMap platform to uncover novel tumor-specific antigens (TSAs).

Epitopea's Innovative Approach to Cancer Immunotherapy

Epitopea, a biotech company founded in 2021 with dual headquarters in Cambridge, U.K., and Montreal, specializes in discovering what it calls "Cryptigen" tumor-specific antigens. These antigens, derived from previously overlooked "junk DNA," are described as unmutated but aberrantly expressed. The company's CryptoMap platform is designed to reveal approximately 100 TSAs per tumor type, allowing for prioritization based on optimal expression and effective immune system recognition.

Alan Rigby, CEO of Epitopea, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "We believe that this strategic collaborative relationship with MSD, a leader in immunotherapy therapeutic development, provides us with an additional opportunity to validate the potential impact of these differentiated tumor-specific antigens."

Merck's Strategic Pipeline Expansion

This collaboration is part of Merck's broader strategy to expand its pipeline, particularly in anticipation of the 2028 loss of exclusivity for its cancer blockbuster, Keytruda. George Addona, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Discovery, Preclinical Development and Translational Medicine at Merck Research Laboratories, emphasized the need for more therapeutic options in cancer treatment, stating, "We continue to explore new ways to build upon our strong foundation in immuno-oncology and look forward to collaborating with the Epitopea team."

The deal with Epitopea follows Merck's recent $2 billion licensing agreement with Hansoh Pharma for a GLP-1 receptor agonist in December, further demonstrating the company's commitment to strengthening its pipeline through strategic partnerships and acquisitions.