 Caris to provide DNA and RNA molecular testing to support patient identification and enrollment for Merus Zenocutuzumab Phase 12 eNRGy trialUTRECHT, The Netherlands and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and IRVING, Texas, July 13, 2020 GLOBE NEWSWIRE -- Merus N.V. Nasdaq: MRUS, a clinical-stage oncology company developing innovative, full-length multispecific antibodies Biclonics and TriclonicsTM and Caris Life Sciences, a leading innovator in molecular science focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine, today announced a collaboration to detect neuregulin 1 NRG1 fusions in cancer patients. Under the agreement, Caris has agreed to perform whole exome sequencing of DNA and whole transcriptome sequencing of RNA for certain cancer patients, focusing on pancreatic cancer, to identify the presence ofNRG1 fusions and to increase awareness of and potential enrollment in Merus bispecific antibody Zenocutuzumab Zeno Phase 12 eNRGy trial.We are pleased to collaborate with Merus and to identify patients with NRG1 fusions, said David Spetzler, M.S., Ph.D., MBA, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Caris Life Sciences. Our molecular profiling tools provide critical information physicians and patients need to make informed treatment decisions. We look forward to providing this important molecular information to clinicians, and Merus, to evaluate patient eligibility for the eNRGy trial with Zeno.The NRG1 gene fusion is a rare, powerful driver of cancer cell growth found in lung, pancreatic and other solid tumor types. Zeno, through its unique mechanism of blocking the interaction of the NRG1 fusion protein with its receptor HER3, has the potential to be particularly effective against NRG1 cancers.We look forward to working with Caris to identify patients who may benefit from Zeno, said Bill Lundberg, M.D., President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of Merus. While genomic sequencing is more commonly being used in the healthcare setting, it is not sufficiently employed in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic and other cancers where treatment options have been limited. We believe our collaboration with Caris will help to raise awareness of the value of molecular profiling in pancreatic and other cancers, and potentially enhance enrollment in our Zeno eNRGy trial and Early Access Program.Merus is currently enrolling patients on the Phase 12 eNRGy trial to assess the safety and anti-tumor activity of Zeno monotherapy in NRG1 cancers. The eNRGy trial consists of three cohorts: NRG1 pancreatic cancer; NRG1 non-small cell lung cancer; and NRG1 other solid tumors. Further details, including current trial sites, can be found at and Merus trial website at or by calling 1-833-NRG-1234.About NRG1 Fusions The NRG1 gene encodes for neuregulin also known as heregulin, the ligand for HER3. Fusions between NRG1 and partner genes are rare genetic events occurring in patients with certain lung, pancreatic and other solid tumors, associated with activation of HER2HER3 signaling and growth of cancer cells. Overall projections for NRG1 fusions occurrence are based on limited published information at present. Based on the current literature available, Merus estimates NRG1 fusions occur at a rate of approximately 0.3 3.0 in non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC, 0.5 - 1.5 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma PDAC, and less than 1 in all other tumor types.In preclinical studies, the mechanism by which the NRG1 fusion protein stimulates tumor growth has been observed to be especially sensitive to inhibition by the Zeno Dock Block mechanism of binding docking to HER2 and blocking the interaction of HER3 with its ligand neuregulin or with the NRG1 fusion protein. In preclinical studies, Merus has observed that Zeno is capable of potent inhibition of neuregulin-driven HER2HER3 heterodimer formation and tumor growth in models harboring NRG1 fusions.About Zeno Zeno is an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity ADCC-enhanced Biclonics that utilizes Merus Dock Block mechanism and inhibits the neuregulinHER3 tumor-signaling pathway in solid tumors. Zeno is believed to target the HER3 signaling pathway and to overcome the resistance of tumor cells to HER2-targeted therapies using two mechanisms: blocking growth and survival pathways to stop tumor expansion and recruitment and enhancement of immune effector cells to eliminate the tumor. Learn more about Zeno Dock Block at Merus Merus is a clinical-stage oncology company developing innovative full-length human bispecific antibody therapeutics, referred to as Biclonics. Biclonics are manufactured using industry standard processes and have been observed in preclinical and clinical studies to have several of the same features of conventional human monoclonal antibodies, such as long half-life and low immunogenicity. For additional information, please visit Merus website, and Caris Life Sciences Caris Life Sciences is a leading innovator in molecular science focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine through quality and innovation. The companys suite of market-leading molecular profiling offerings assesses DNA, RNA and proteins to reveal a molecular blueprint that helps physicians and cancer patients make more precise and personalized treatment decisions. MI ExomeTM whole exome sequencing with 22,000 DNA genes, and MI TranscriptomeTM whole transcriptome sequencing with 22,000 RNA genes along with cancer-related pathogens, bacteria, viruses and fungi analysis run on every patient provides the most comprehensive and clinically relevant DNA and RNA profiling available on the market.Caris is also advancing precision medicine with Caris MAITM Molecular Artificial Intelligence that combines its innovative service offerings, Caris Molecular Intelligence with its proprietary artificial intelligence analytics engine, DEANTM, to analyze the whole exome, whole transcriptome and complete cancer proteome. This information, coupled with mature clinical outcomes on thousands of patients, provides unmatched molecular solutions for patients, physicians, payers and biopharmaceutical organizations.Caris Pharmatech is changing the paradigm and streamlines the clinical trial process by assisting biopharma companies with accessing research-ready oncology sites for clinical trials. With over 200 research sites within the Caris Pharmatech JIT Oncology Network, biopharma companies can identify and enroll more patients, faster. Caris Pharmatech Just-In-Time Clinical Trial Solutions focus on rapid site activation and patient enrollment to streamline the drug development process. By implementing a Just-In-Time JIT Research System, site activation and patient enrollment is achievable within 14 days for pre-registered locations with pre-qualified patients.Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Caris Life Sciences offers services throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and other international markets. To learn more, please visit or follow us on Twitter Looking StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation, Caris agreement to perform whole exome sequencing of DNA and whole transcriptome sequencing of RNA of certain cancer patients, focusing on pancreatic cancer, to identify the presence of NRG1 fusions; increase awareness of and potential enrollment in Merus bispecific antibody Zeno Phase 12 eNRGy trial; the design and treatment potential for Zeno and its mechanism of action to be particularly effective against NRG1 cancers; the ability of the collaboration with Caris to identify patients with NRG1 fusions; the ability of Caris molecular profiling tools to provide the knowledge physicians and patients need to make informed treatment decisions and for clinicians, and Merus, to evaluate patient eligibility for the eNRGy trial with Zeno; the collaboration ability to help to raise awareness of the value of genetic diagnosis in pancreatic and other cancers, and potentially enhance enrollment in the Zeno eNRGy trial and Early Access Program; the Zeno clinical study design, the occurrence of NRG1 fusion cancers. These forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations. 