Merck KGaA has entered into a development agreement with Avillion, a UK-based company focused on increasing research and development output, for Merck’s anti-interleukin-17 (anti IL-17) A/F Nanobody, an investigational therapy in clinical development for treating plaque psoriasis.

Avillion will be responsible for developing anti IL-17 A/F Nanobody from Phase II through Phase III and will finance the clinical program through to regulatory submission. Merck acquired full, exclusive rights to anti IL-17 A/F Nanobody through a global development and commercialization license from Ablynx in 2013. The compound has the potential to treat inflammatory diseases due to the small size and structure of nanobodies, according to Merck. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Source: Merck KGaA