Merck Licenses SciBrunch’s SPR2015 for Up to $2.13 Billion

Merck has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with SciBrunch Therapeutics for SPR2015, an investigational oral KRAS G12D (ON) inhibitor. The deal's total potential value is $2.13 billion.

The agreement grants Merck worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize SPR2015, a potent and selective molecular glue inhibitor designed to target one of the most common oncogenic forms of KRAS found in human cancers.

SciBrunch will receive an upfront payment of $400 million, with additional milestone payments possible across multiple indications. Merck will record a pre-tax charge of $400 million, or approximately $0.13 per share, in its GAAP and non-GAAP third-quarter 2026 results related to the transaction.

SPR2015 has shown promise in preclinical testing, demonstrating nanomolar antiproliferative activity across several KRAS G12D-mutant cell lines while maintaining selectivity over KRAS wild-type cells. The candidate also demonstrated antitumor efficacy as a monotherapy across multiple cell-derived and patient-derived xenograft models.