Chi-Med and Merck KGaA Start Collaboration to Discover Novel Small Molecule Anti-Cancer Drugs

22-Nov-2006

Chi-Med announced the signing of a collaboration agreement between its wholly-owned drug R&D subsidiary Hutchison MediPharma Limited and Merck KGaA on future joint research efforts focusing on discovering novel anti-cancer drugs derived from natural products that modulate oncological pathways. Financial details are not being disclosed.

Mr. Christian Hogg, CEO of Chi-Med, said: "Over the last four years, we have established a solid R&D organization that has brought two candidates into US phase II clinical studies in the oncology and auto-immune areas. We are delighted to partner with Merck to broaden our research activities in the oncology area. Merck has a good record of achievement in the development and commercialization of oncology products such as Erbitux. In addition, we believe this collaboration further validates Chi-Med's drug discovery capability."

Chi-Med sees Traditional Chinese Medicine as a major, under-exploited reservoir for the development of novel drugs for the global pharmaceutical market and for developing new products for the global health and beauty consumer markets.

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