Dutch bispecific antibody company behind zenocutuzumab and petosemtamab; acquired by Genmab in 2025.
Merus, based in Utrecht and listed as MRUS, is the Dutch bispecific antibody company behind zenocutuzumab and petosemtamab, and Genmab announced its acquisition for around 8 billion dollars in 2025. Its Biclonics platform produced zenocutuzumab, approved in 2024 for NRG1 fusion cancers and expanded in 2026, and petosemtamab, an EGFR by LGR5 bispecific in phase 3 in head and neck cancer, through LiGeR-HN1, and colorectal cancer. OnCo links it to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and biliary tract cancer, to both drug records and to Betta Pharmaceuticals. Whether petosemtamab can improve on current standards in head and neck cancer is the question the phase 3 will answer. Zenocutuzumab has its own page.
Zenocutuzumab is the first drug for cancers driven by NRG1 gene fusions, working by blocking HER3 from receiving its growth signal.
A two-armed antibody that blocks EGFR while gripping LGR5, a marker of cancer stem cells, so it hits the cells that regrow tumours.
Shares LiGeR-HN1, Petosemtamab, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Shares LiGeR-HN1, Petosemtamab, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Shares Betta Pharmaceuticals, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Shares Zenocutuzumab, Biliary tract cancer (cholangiocarcinoma).
Shares Zenocutuzumab, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Shares LiGeR-HN1, Petosemtamab, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.