Merck is partnering with Infinimmune in a deal worth up to $838 million to leverage AI-driven antibody discovery.
Merck entered into a multi-target antibody discovery collaboration with biotechnology startup Infinimmune.
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The collaboration expands Merck’s strategy to bolster biologics capabilities as it prepares for future revenue pressures tied to the loss of exclusivity on key oncology assets.
The partnership centers on Infinimmune’s artificial intelligence-driven platform, which analyzes large libraries of human immune cells to identify novel antibody targets.1 The company’s approach aims to uncover naturally occurring antibodies with improved safety and efficacy profiles compared with existing therapies. According to Infinimmune, this strategy addresses limitations that have challenged similar efforts in the past.1
Founded by former employees of 10x Genomics, Infinimmune is advancing programs against established immunology targets, including IL-22 and IL-13, which are implicated in diseases such as atopic dermatitis, IgA nephropathy, and ulcerative colitis. The company has raised approximately $22 million since its launch and has positioned its platform as a capital-efficient approach to antibody discovery.
In an interview with BioPharma Dive, CEO Wyatt McDonnell said, “The speed, quality, rigor and capital efficiency of our platform was what really piqued their interest.”1
Discussions between the companies began in late 2024, reflecting Merck’s continued effort to source early-stage innovation externally.2
Under the terms of the agreement, Infinimmune is eligible to receive upwards of $838 million in upfront and milestone payments tied to the progression of multiple antibody candidates through development and commercialization.2
According to a report from BioPharma Dive, the companies did not disclose the upfront portion of the deal, but Merck is set to retain exclusive rights to develop and commercialize any therapies that emerge from the collaboration.1
From Merck’s perspective, the deal aligns with a broader push to expand its biologics pipeline and diversify beyond its oncology franchise, particularly as it anticipates the eventual erosion of revenue from
Juan Alvarez, who oversees biologics development at Merck Research Laboratories, says Infinimmune’s platform provides “a compelling new way to access novel biology and promising therapeutic candidates,” underscoring the company’s interest in next-generation discovery approaches.
For Merck, the deal reflects a continued reliance on partnerships as just last week Merck entered an agreement to acquire
“The acquisition of Terns builds on our growing presence in hematology with TERN-701, a potential best-in-class candidate for the treatment of certain patients with chronic myeloid leukemia,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck. “This transaction further diversifies and strengthens our position in oncology as we continue to look for opportunities to broaden our portfolio into other therapeutic areas.”
