GSK Ends Collaboration With Merck KGaA Over Cancer Drug After Failed Trials

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Merck KGaA have formally ended their partnership over an experimental cancer treatment, bintrafusp alfa, following disappointing clinical study results.

In January, Merck KGaA ended a late-stage trial evaluating the immunotherapy in patients with stage IV nonsmall-cell lung cancer after lackluster efficacy findings.

In 2019, the companies struck a research and development deal for bintrafusp alfa potentially worth up to $4.3 billion. GSK paid Merck KGaA $348 million upfront but did not make any milestone payments given the disappointing trial results.