Merck Licenses SciBrunch's KRAS G12D Inhibitor for Up to $2.13 Billion

Merck & Co. has licensed SciBrunch Therapeutics' investigational oral KRAS G12D inhibitor SPR2015 for up to $2.13 billion. The deal includes a $400 million upfront payment and up to $1.73 billion in development and commercialization milestones.

The 'molecular glue' candidate is designed to disable the active (ON) form of the KRAS G12D mutant protein, which is found in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung tumors. This mutation affects more patients than the previously targeted G12C mutation.

For SciBrunch Therapeutics, the $400 million upfront payment validates its molecular-glue platform and provides enough funding to take SPR2015 into the clinic. Merck expects to record a pre-tax charge of $400 million in the third quarter of 2026.