Merck Reports Topline Data for Bintrafusp Alfa as Second-Line Monotherapy Treatment in Biliary Tract Cancer - Seite 2

accepted standard of care in the second-line setting and chemotherapy as well as
immunotherapies have demonstrated low response rates in BTC.
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a hallmark of tumor progression and
drug resistance, plays an important role in BTC, and has been shown to be
triggered by TGF-? signaling.

About Bintrafusp Alfa

Bintrafusp alfa (M7824), discovered in-house at Merck, and currently in clinical
development through a strategic alliance with GSK, is a potential first-in-class
investigational bifunctional fusion protein designed to simultaneously block two
immunosuppressive pathways, TGF-? and PD-L1, within the tumor microenvironment.
This bifunctional approach is thought to control tumor growth by potentially
restoring and enhancing anti-tumor responses. In preclinical studies, bintrafusp
alfa has demonstrated antitumor activity both as monotherapy and in combination
with chemotherapy. Based on its mechanism of action, bintrafusp alfa offers a
potential targeted approach to addressing the underlying pathophysiology of
difficult-to-treat cancers.

About the INTR@PID Clinical Trial Program

INTR@PID is a global clinical trial program investigating the potential
co-localized, dual inhibition of TGF-? and PD-L1 with bintrafusp alfa (M7824) in
multiple tumor types. Current clinical trial information can be found on the
INTR@PID website at http://www.intrapidclinicaltrials.com/ . To date, globally
more than 1,300 patients with various types of solid tumors have received
bintrafusp alfa in the INTR@PID clinical development program.

The INTR@PID clinical development strategy is comprehensive and is pursuing
non-redundant hypotheses grounded in preclinical and early clinical data
findings that continue to be explored and may yield clinically meaningful
insights to patients in need, including exploring settings where simultaneous,
synchronized targeting of TGF-? and PD-L1 may offer the key to expanding the
potential of immunotherapy; focusing on opportunities where PD-1/PD-L1 has
suboptimal clinical activities and pathogenesis linked to TGF-? biology; and
targeting specific tumors with biomarkers with a strong link to TGF-? signaling
pathway.

All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become
available on the Merck Website. Please go to http://www.merckgroup.com/subscribe
to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare,
life science and electronics. Around 58,000 employees work to make a positive
difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and
sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and
discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the
intelligence of devices - the company is everywhere. In 2020, Merck generated
sales of EUR 17.5 billion in 66 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck's
technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its
founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly
listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The
only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of
Merck operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and
EMD Electronics.

Your Contacts
Media Relations
[e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

Investor Relations
[e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1136775/Merck_Logo.jpg

Additional content: http://presseportal.de/pm/6873/4864743
OTS: Merck KGaA
ISIN: DE0006599905