Merck licenses $2.13 billion KRAS cancer drug

• Merck entered an exclusive global license agreement for SciBrunch’s preclinical KRAS G12D inhibitor SPR2015.
• The deal includes a $400 million upfront payment and potential total payments of up to $2.13 billion.
• Merck said the agreement expands its precision oncology pipeline with a targeted cancer therapy candidate.

Merck (NYSE:MRK) entered an exclusive global license agreement with SciBrunch Therapeutics for SPR2015, a preclinical oral KRAS G12D inhibitor being developed for potential cancer treatments.

Under the agreement, SciBrunch granted Merck worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize SPR2015, with the transaction including a $400 million upfront payment.

“Evidence continues to accumulate for the therapeutic potential of targeting the KRAS pathway, a well-characterized factor in tumor cell growth,” said George Addona, senior vice president of discovery, preclinical development and translational medicine at Merck Research Laboratories.

Merck said the agreement includes milestone payments tied to development, commercialization, and other activities, with total potential transaction value of $2.13 billion, while the company will record a $400 million pre-tax charge in the third quarter of 2026.

Merck develops medicines across oncology, vaccines, infectious diseases, and other healthcare areas, with cancer treatments representing a major part of its pharmaceutical business.

The company said SPR2015 is designed to target KRAS G12D, one of the commonly occurring mutant forms of KRAS found in human cancers, and will be added to its precision oncology pipeline.