"We're dedicated to Multiple Sclerosis with two approved therapies and Evobrutinib currently in phase 3 trial"

Rare diseases remain untreatable globally despite major advances in research that have enabled us to understand their molecular basis, as well as legislation that provides regulatory and economic incentives to encourage their development.

- Hithaishi C Bhaskar

Rare diseases often lack treatment options and are decades behind in R&D. An important component of addressing this translational gap is the selection of the optimal therapeutic modality to translate advances in rare disease knowledge into potential medicines, such as small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, protein replacement therapies, oligonucleotides, gene and cell therapies, as well as drug repurposing. Global pharma firm, Merck is into development of therapies for one such rare disease, Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory condition of the central nervous system prevalent in Asia-Pacific. It is the most common non-traumatic, disabling neurological disease in young adults. Like many other rare diseases, MS has received less attention from drug developers because of the smaller market opportunity in this group of patients. In an interaction with BioSpectrum Asia Liz Henderson, Senior Vice President APAC, Merck Healthcare explains the therapeutic prospects around this rare disease. Edited excerpts;

Why does multiple sclerosis (MS) deserve attention and investment in APAC for the development of novel treatments? 

In my opinion, there can never be too many treatment options for someone with a serious autoimmune disease like MS, because not every treatment works for every patient.

Merck believes that a healthier future deserves a sizable investment. In 2018 our Healthcare business devoted roughly 20 per cent of total sales to R&D activities aimed at discovering and developing new therapies. All of these are integrated in four strategically located and highly connected hubs on three continents: Darmstadt, Boston, Beijing and Tokyo.