Allergan Buys Rights to Merck CGRP Migraine Program

July 7, 2015

Allergan entered into an agreement to acquire the worldwide rights to Merck's investigational small molecule oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists, which are being developed for the treatment and prevention of migraine.

Allergan will acquire these rights for an upfront payment of $250 million, $125 million of which is payable upon HSR clearance and $125 million of which is payable in April of 2016, according to a press release. Merck will also be entitled to receive potential development and commercial milestone payments and tiered double-digit royalties based on commercialization of the programs. Allergan will be fully responsible for development of the CGRP programs, as well as manufacturing and commercialization upon approval and launch of the products.

"The agreement to acquire exclusive worldwide rights to Merck's CGRP migraine development program builds on our existing strength in neurosciences and helps position Allergan as a potential leader in the acute treatment of migraine and prevention of migraine for millions of patients," said David Nicholson, Executive Vice President, Global Brands Research and Development at Allergan.

"We are pleased that this agreement will enable Allergan to advance these promising molecules for the potential benefit of migraine sufferers, and that Merck will be able to continue to further focus our research and development resources on our priority therapeutic areas," said Iain D. Dukes, Senior Vice President of Business Development & Licensing, Merck Research Laboratories.

Read the full release