Merck & Co. and Samsung Bioepis—a joint venture of Samsung and Biogen Idec—said today they have expanded their year-old collaboration in a way that Merck says will support one of its key priorities of building its diabetes drug portfolio.

The joint venture partners said they signed an agreement to develop, manufacture and commercialize MK-1293, an insulin glargine candidate for the treatment of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The partners said they will collaborate on clinical development, regulatory filings, and manufacturing, with Merck agreeing to commercialize the drug candidate if approved.

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