Merck (MSD) has announced that it is licensing SPR2015, an investigational preclinical oral inhibitor from SciBrunch Therapeutics, to grow its pipeline of precision targeted candidates.
SPR2015 is a potent, novel molecular glue KRAS G12D (ON) inhibitor. It has shown to have nanomolar antiproliferative activities in several KRAS G12D-mutant cell lines, the most common RAS mutation in human cancers. At the same time, it is selective over KRAS wildtype cells.
“This agreement complements and diversifies our expanding pipeline of precision targeted candidates with SPR2015, a potent engineered inhibitor for one of the most prevalent mutant forms of KRAS found in human cancers,” said George Addona, Senior VP, Discovery, Preclinical Development and Translational Medicine, Merck Research Laboratories.
The exclusive global license agreement will give Merck the rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize SPR2015 worldwide. Merck will pay SciBrunch $400 million upfront as well as payments for reaching milestones. The deal is expected to be worth a total of $2.13 billion.