Merck Licenses Cancer Treatment from SciBrunch for Up to $2.13 Billion

Pharmaceutical giant Merck has entered into a global licensing deal worth up to $2.13 billion with China's SciBrunch Therapeutics for rights to develop, manufacture, and sell an experimental cancer treatment called SPR2015.

The oral drug candidate targets KRAS G12D, one of the most common cancer-driving mutations found in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers.

Under the deal, Merck will pay SciBrunch an upfront payment of $400 million and is eligible for up to $1.73 billion in potential milestone payments.

The transaction will result in a pre-tax charge of $400 million, or about 13 cents per share, in Merck's third-quarter 2026 results.