Merck KGaA teams with Avillion for psoriasis treatment

Merck KGaA has signed an agreement with U.K.-based research and development firm Avillion for an investigative, branded pharmaceutical product designed to address plaque psoriasis, with Avillion’s financial support.
Merck has completed Phase I for the Anti IL-17 A/F Nanobody product, designed for therapeutic applications for inflammatory diseases. Company spokespersons expressed optimism for its potential based on its unique molecular structure; Avillion will provide capital for the project’s Phases II and III, from clinical through regulatory submission segments.
"The collaboration … will allow us to optimally deliver on the potential of IL-17, a compound which could address several areas of unmet need for patients today," Merck board member Belén Garijo said. "In parallel, we have several highly promising priority clinical assets in our pipeline.”
Garijo added that through strategic partnering, Merck can continue to focus on innovation within research and development as they “maximize other opportunities that emerge from our pipeline."
"We are delighted to embark on this new clinical development project with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and its innovative nanobody candidate," Avillion CEO Dr. Allison Jeynes-Ellis said. "This agreement is a further endorsement of our innovative business model.”