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Factbox-US Drugmakers Turn to China for Licensing Deals
The deal gives Merck access to a preclinical oral drug targeting a common cancer mutation as it seeks to refill its pipeline before Keytruda patent losses.
On Monday, Merck agreed to pay Chinese biotech SciBrunch Therapeutics up to $2.13 billion for global rights to develop and sell SPR2015, an experimental cancer drug targeting KRAS G12D-mutant cancers.
This acquisition expands Merck's cancer drug pipeline as the company prepares for patent expirations on Keytruda, its top-selling immunotherapy, later this decade.
SciBrunch will receive $400 million upfront and is eligible for up to $1.73 billion in potential milestone payments under the licensing agreement.
The transaction will result in a pre-tax charge of $400 million, or about 13 cents per share, affecting Merck's third-quarter 2026 results.
Chinese biotechs often retain domestic rights while licensing drugs overseas, securing upfront payments and royalties to fund further development.