Merck Enters into Further Global Co-Development and Commercialization Agreement for PARP Inhibitor with Chinese R&D Company BeiGene

Darmstadt, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

- New agreement marks the second collaboration between Merck and BeiGene

Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, today
announced that a global licensing, co-development, and
commercialization agreement for BeiGene-290 has been signed with
BeiGene Co., Ltd., a biotech research and development company in
Beijing, China. The compound, which is a potent poly (ADP-ribose)
polymerase (PARP) inhibitor for the treatment of cancer, is currently
in preclinical development and is expected to enter clinical
development next year. This is the second collaboration agreement
between the two companies this year.

PARP inhibitors are thought to target an enzyme family, poly
(ADP-ribose) polymerase, which is involved in a number of cellular
processes, including DNA repair and programmed cell death.

Under the terms of the collaboration, BeiGene will be responsible
for the development and commercialization of BeiGene-290 in China,
and Merck will be responsible for the development and
commercialization of BeiGene-290 for the rest of the world. BeiGene
will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible to
receive further payments of up to EUR 170 million (US$ 232 million)
for the achievement of clinical development and potential commercial
milestones in both the People's Republic of China and rest of the
world, as well as royalties on net sales.

"We are delighted to announce an expansion of our strategic
partnership with BeiGene. Today's announcement highlights our
commitment both to establishing strong R&D partnerships in China but
also to our partner BeiGene, a preeminent Chinese life sciences
company focused on discovering and developing innovative oncology
drugs," said Dr. Susan Jane Herbert, Head of Global Business
Development and Strategy for Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical
division of Merck.

John Oyler, CEO of BeiGene said: "We are very much looking forward
to expanding further our collaboration with Merck to include
BeiGene-290. This collaboration helps to accelerate the global
development and commercialization of this China-discovered oncology
innovation, something BeiGene could not have achieved alone.
Furthermore this deal and Merck's previous deal with BeiGene to
develop the second generation, China-discovered BRAF inhibitor,
BGB-283, demonstrate Merck's deep commitment to China and external
innovation."

Both companies were recently awarded the 2013 BayHelix-Elsevier
Award for Alliance of the Year. This award recognizes a
ground-breaking pharmaceutical collaboration agreement involving a
Chinese entity-one that is centered on advancing the future of
science and pharmaceutical innovation. It is a significant
recognition for both organizations, underscoring a shared commitment
to establishing strategic partnerships that accelerate the delivery
of differentiated new therapies to people living with serious unmet
medical needs.

About BeiGene (Beijing), Co., Ltd.

BeiGene is a Chinese novel R&D oncology company focusing on
discovering, developing and commercializing innovative oncology
therapeutics. With a team of around 150 scientists and staff, its
pipeline is comprised of novel oral small molecules and monoclonal
antibodies for cancer. BeiGene Ltd. is a Cayman Islands exempted
company that is an investor in and collaborator with BeiGene
(Beijing), Co. Ltd.

For more information please visit: http://www.beigene.com.

About Merck Serono

Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck. With
headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading
brands in 150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple
sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as
cardiovascular diseases. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono
operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck Serono.

Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets
prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in
specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver
novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurology, oncology,
immuno-oncology and immunology.

For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.com.

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Merck is a leading pharmaceutical, chemical and life science
company with total revenues of EUR 11.2 billion in 2012, a history
that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approx. 38,000 employees
in 66 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from
entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under
the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an
approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining
approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was
expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.

ots Originaltext: Merck Serono GmbH
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