Merck has agreed to pay $400 million for global rights to a cancer drug candidate developed by SciBrunch Therapeutics, a China-based biotech. The candidate is designed to block mutated versions of the KRAS G12D protein, a common driver of tumor growth in several cancer types.
The deal places Merck in a competitive field. Other companies, including Revolution Medicines and BridgeBio Oncology Therapeutics, already have clinical-stage assets targeting the same class of mutations. Merck's move signals growing commercial interest in KRAS-targeted therapies, an area that has historically been difficult to address with small-molecule drugs.
The source notes that the drug candidate specifically targets mutated KRAS G12D, distinguishing it from earlier KRAS inhibitors that focus on other variants. Financial terms beyond the $400 million upfront payment were not detailed in the report.