Merck Pays $400 Million for Rights to China-Origin Cancer Treatment Candidate
Merck has made a significant move in the cancer treatment space by agreeing to pay $400 million upfront for exclusive rights to SPR2015, a preclinical oral KRAS G12D-targeted RAS(ON) inhibitor from China-based SciBrunch Therapeutics. The deal could potentially reach $2.13 billion including development and commercialization milestones across multiple indications.
The unusually large upfront payment gives Merck an entry into the competitive race to inhibit active KRAS G12D, one of the most common oncogenic RAS mutations. Revolution Medicines has already advanced a competing RAS(ON) KRAS G12D inhibitor into clinical development.
Under the agreement, SciBrunch granted Merck exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize SPR2015. The program has shown promising preclinical data in KRAS G12D-mutant cancer models, including pancreatic, lung, and colorectal tumors. Preclinical data presented at AACR 2026 showed selective activity.