Merck Acquires Idenix For Hepatitis C Therapies

Merck announced in a press release that it has agreed to acquire Idenix Pharmaceuticals, a Massachusetts-based company with clinical development and drug discovery operations in Montpellier, France. The acquisition provides Merck with access to Idenix’s portfolio of investigational hepatitis C therapies including IDX21437, IDX21459, and samatasvir.

Dr. Roger Perlmutter, president of Merck Research Laboratories said, “Idenix’s investigational hepatitis C candidates complement our promising therapies in development.” Ron Renaud, President and CEO of Idenix, said, “Merck has established a strong legacy of leadership and innovation in treating hepatitis C.”

Merck and Idenix Agreement

The agreement between Merck and Idenix was approved by each company’s board of directors. Valued at $3.85 billion, or $24.50 per share in cash to Idenix shareholders, Merck, through a subsidiary, tenders the offer for all outstanding shares of Idenix Pharmaceuticals. Upon the completion of customary conditions, the companies expect to close the transaction in the third quarter of 2014.

Idenix Hepatitis C Therapeutics

Idenix focuses on the treatment of human viral diseases, developing novel oral therapeutics for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In clinical development are two nucleotide prodrugs (IDX21437 and IDX21459). Another agent is samatasvir, a NS5A inhibitor. Idenix and Merck intend to investigate these candidates for inclusion in combination regimens. Idenix’s expertise in produg technologies and nucleoside/nucleotide chemistry experience will help Merck develop treatments that complement its existing portfolio.

Merck’s HCV Medicines

Merck’s HCV medicines include a combination of MK-5172 and MK-8742, an HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor and an HCV NS5A replication complex inhibitor, respectively. Merck is conducting Phase III trials for MK-5172/MK-8742, with and without ribavirin. The study population is broad and consists of various genotypes. The MK-5172 and MK-8742 combination recently earned a Breakthrough Therapy designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In April 2014, Merck announced in a press release the interim results from the MK-5172/MK-8742 combination study, the C-WORTHy study, a multi-arm Phase II clinical trial. Results showed that hard-to-cure HCV patients administered MK-5172/MK-8742, with and without ribavirin, showed sustained viral response (SVR) 4 to 8 weeks after the completion of therapy. Investigators were pleased with the results but stated there was still a need for more treatment options, especially for patients with HCV and cirrhosis and patients with HCV/HIV co-infection. The acquisition of Idenix may help Merck reach that objective.