Merck's Acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics Boosts Oncology Portfolio

Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Harpoon Therapeutics for $680 million, further diversifying its oncology pipeline with the addition of HPN328, an investigational delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) targeting T-cell engager being evaluated in certain patients with small cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. The acquisition reflects Merck's commitment to enhancing its oncology pipeline through strategic acquisitions and advancing breakthrough science to address the needs of cancer patients worldwide. Harpoon's lead candidate, HPN328, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, and the acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2024.