On Friday, Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK) agreed to acquire CN201, an investigational clinical-stage bispecific antibody for B-cell-associated diseases, from privately-held Curon Biopharmaceutical. “We continue to identify opportunities to expand and diversify our pipeline,” said Dr. Dean Y. Li, president of Merck Research Laboratories. “Early clinical data have provided robust evidence for the potential of CN201 to target and deplete circulating and tissue B cells with the potential to treat a range of malignant and autoimmune diseases.” Merck will acquire full global rights to CN201 for an upfront payment of $700 million in cash. Curon is also eligible to receive up to $600 million in milestone payments. CN201 is currently being evaluated in Phase 1 and Phase 1b/2 trials for relapsed or refractory ...