Mestag Partners with MSD to Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets for Inflammatory Diseases

Mestag Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on fibroblast-immune interactions, has entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc.) to discover new drug targets for treating inflammatory diseases. Mestag will use its proprietary RAFT (Reversing Activated Fibroblast Technology) platform, which models the role of fibroblasts in disease, to identify these targets. MSD will have the option to license one or more targets for drug discovery, development, and commercialization.

“Mestag was founded on groundbreaking insights into fibroblast-immune biology, and as an early innovator in this area of research, we have built a robust pipeline of antibody programs and created a unique and productive target discovery platform,” said Susan Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Mestag. “We are acutely aware of the significant unmet needs faced on a daily basis by patients suffering from inflammatory diseases. We are thrilled to collaborate with MSD, together driving continued innovation for the benefit of patients.”

Marc Levesque, MD, PhD, Vice President of Immunology Discovery, MSD Research Laboratories, added, “The role of activated fibroblasts in directing immune activity offers exciting new therapeutic potential.  We look forward to collaborating with the team at Mestag to identify new potential therapeutic options for patients with fibrosis and inflammatory diseases.”

As part of the agreement, MSD can obtain exclusive licenses to develop therapies targeting specific proteins identified by Mestag. In return, Mestag will receive an upfront payment, access fees, and option fees, along with potential milestones and other payments, which could total up to $1.9 billion.