On April 3, 2025 PharmaMar (MSE:PHM) a global leader in the research, development, and commercialization of marine-derived oncology therapies, and Merck (MRK.DE), a global science and technology company based in Darmstadt, Germany, reported an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of Zepzelca (lurbinectedin), a novel transcription inhibitor for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), in Japan (Press release, PharmaMar, APR 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234651789]).

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Under the terms of the agreement, PharmaMar will receive an upfront payment of €22 million. PharmaMar is entitled to tiered double digit royalties on net sales, and various clinical, regulatory, and sales based milestones totalling up to an additional €31 million.

PharmaMar will supply Merck with lurbinectedin for clinical and commercial use in Japan.

"We are excited to partner with Merck, to advance and commercialize lurbinectedin in Japan, leveraging their proven expertise in bringing innovative therapies to market. This collaboration enables us to envision Japanese patients gaining access to this new drug which already obtained marketing authorizations in 17 territories including major countries in Asia-Pacific such as China, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Australia." said Luis Mora, Managing Director, PharmaMar