Merck pays $400 million upfront for preclinical KRAS G12D drug

Merck is paying $400 million upfront for a preclinical cancer drug, showing how aggressively big pharma is chasing KRAS G12D programs before human testing. The exclusive global license for SciBrunch Therapeutics’ SPR2015 gives Merck development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights. The oral molecular-glue inhibitor is designed to block KRAS G12D, a mutation that drives tumors in cancers including pancreatic and colorectal cancer, with total deal value up to $2.13 billion.