This is the seventh development deal of its kind for Gene Logic.
Gene Logic plans to research alternative development paths for several Merck Serono clinical candidates under a drug-repositioning agreement. All the candidates were discontinued or de-prioritized for reasons other than safety, according to the companies.
Gene Logic will receive success-based milestones and royalties. If Gene Logic identifies a new therapeutic use for any compound, the company has the right to exclusively license the drug so long as Merck Serono opts out of development. Merck Serono then would be entitled to success-based milestone and royalty payments on these licensed candidates.
Gene Logic has similar repositioning collaborations with Eli Lilly, Lundbeck, Abbott, Organon, Roche, and Pfizer.