November 23, 2021 -- Merck has licensed its second trispecific NK (TrinKet) immunotherapy candidate from Dragonfly Therapeutics for solid tumors.
In November 2020, Merck licensed its first TrinKet immunotherapy candidate from Dragonfly. Initially, Merck and Dragonfly's collaboration focused on solid tumor targets. Last year, their collaboration expanded to a multitarget agreement to develop and commercialize additional NK cell engager immunotherapies in oncology, infectious disease, and immune disorders.
Under the expanded agreement, Merck has exercised its option to license exclusive worldwide intellectual property rights on its second immunotherapy candidate developed using the TrinKet platform. Dragonfly has received an undisclosed payment associated with this milestone.