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Merck Inks $2.1B Deal With Chinese Biotech to Expand Oncology Pipeline
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Key Takeaways
Merck secured global rights to SPR2015, an oral KRAS G12D (ON) inhibitor from SciBrunch.
The deal includes a $400 million upfront payment and potential milestones, totaling up to $2.13 billion.
SPR2015 showed selective activity and antitumor effects in preclinical KRAS G12D-mutant cancer models.
Merck (MRK - Free Report) has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with SciBrunch Therapeutics, a China-based biotech company, for SPR2015, an investigational preclinical oral KRAS G12D (ON) inhibitor.
Under the deal, Merck obtained exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize SPR2015. The deal expands Merck’s pipeline of precision oncology candidates and adds a potential treatment targeting one of the most common cancer-driving KRAS mutations.
In return, SciBrunch is entitled to receive an upfront payment of $400 million from Merck. It is eligible for additional milestone payments associated with development, commercialization and other activities across multiple indications. The transaction has a total potential value of $2.13 billion, inclusive of the upfront payment. The deal has already closed.
For Merck, the transaction will result in a $400 million pre-tax charge or approximately 13 cents per share in the third quarter of 2026.
MRK Stock Performance
Year to date, shares of Merck have rallied 44.2% compared with the industry’s 15.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SPR2015’s Treatment Approach
SPR2015 is an investigational oral molecular glue KRAS G12D (ON) inhibitor designed to selectively target the KRAS G12D mutation. KRAS G12D is a common oncogenic RAS mutation found across several cancers, creating a potential opportunity for SPR2015 across multiple indications.
In pre-clinical studies, the candidate has shown nanomolar antiproliferative activity in several KRAS G12D-mutant cancer cell lines while maintaining good selectivity over KRAS wild-type cells. The candidate has also demonstrated antitumor activity as a monotherapy in multiple cell-derived and patient-derived xenograft models.
The SPR2015 deal adds to Merck's existing KRAS strategy, complementing its clinical-stage KRAS G12C inhibitor calderasib (MK-1084) with a preclinical KRAS G12D program.
Calderasib is an investigational, oral, selective KRAS G12C covalent inhibitor, being developed in collaboration with Taiho Pharmaceutical and Astex Pharmaceuticals in late-stage studies across lung and colorectal cancer.
Over the past 60 days, estimates for Precigen’s 2026 bottom line have improved from a loss of 2 cents to earnings per share of 24 cents. Over the same period, earnings estimates for 2027 have risen from 25 cents to 73 cents. PGEN shares have gained 86.9% year to date.
Precigen’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in the remaining one, with the average surprise being 108.96%.
Over the past 60 days, estimates for AC Immune’s 2026 loss per share have narrowed from 84 cents to 60 cents. Over the same period, earnings estimates for 2027 remained unchanged at 17 cents per share. ACIU shares have lost 16.9% year to date.
AC Immune’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 33.25%.
Over the past 60 days, loss per share estimates for Aldeyra Therapeutics have narrowed from 43 cents to 39 cents for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 loss per share have narrowed from 22 cents to 16 cents. ALDX shares have plunged 77.6% year to date.
Aldeyra Therapeutics’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 29.25%.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Merck Inks $2.1B Deal With Chinese Biotech to Expand Oncology Pipeline
Key Takeaways
Merck (MRK - Free Report) has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with SciBrunch Therapeutics, a China-based biotech company, for SPR2015, an investigational preclinical oral KRAS G12D (ON) inhibitor.
Under the deal, Merck obtained exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize SPR2015. The deal expands Merck’s pipeline of precision oncology candidates and adds a potential treatment targeting one of the most common cancer-driving KRAS mutations.
In return, SciBrunch is entitled to receive an upfront payment of $400 million from Merck. It is eligible for additional milestone payments associated with development, commercialization and other activities across multiple indications. The transaction has a total potential value of $2.13 billion, inclusive of the upfront payment. The deal has already closed.
For Merck, the transaction will result in a $400 million pre-tax charge or approximately 13 cents per share in the third quarter of 2026.
MRK Stock Performance
Year to date, shares of Merck have rallied 44.2% compared with the industry’s 15.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SPR2015’s Treatment Approach
SPR2015 is an investigational oral molecular glue KRAS G12D (ON) inhibitor designed to selectively target the KRAS G12D mutation. KRAS G12D is a common oncogenic RAS mutation found across several cancers, creating a potential opportunity for SPR2015 across multiple indications.
In pre-clinical studies, the candidate has shown nanomolar antiproliferative activity in several KRAS G12D-mutant cancer cell lines while maintaining good selectivity over KRAS wild-type cells. The candidate has also demonstrated antitumor activity as a monotherapy in multiple cell-derived and patient-derived xenograft models.
The SPR2015 deal adds to Merck's existing KRAS strategy, complementing its clinical-stage KRAS G12C inhibitor calderasib (MK-1084) with a preclinical KRAS G12D program.
Calderasib is an investigational, oral, selective KRAS G12C covalent inhibitor, being developed in collaboration with Taiho Pharmaceutical and Astex Pharmaceuticals in late-stage studies across lung and colorectal cancer.
MRK’s Zacks Rank & Stock to Consider
Merck currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Precigen (PGEN - Free Report) , currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and AC Immune (ACIU - Free Report) and Aldeyra Therapeutics (ALDX - Free Report) , carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Over the past 60 days, estimates for Precigen’s 2026 bottom line have improved from a loss of 2 cents to earnings per share of 24 cents. Over the same period, earnings estimates for 2027 have risen from 25 cents to 73 cents. PGEN shares have gained 86.9% year to date.
Precigen’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in the remaining one, with the average surprise being 108.96%.
Over the past 60 days, estimates for AC Immune’s 2026 loss per share have narrowed from 84 cents to 60 cents. Over the same period, earnings estimates for 2027 remained unchanged at 17 cents per share. ACIU shares have lost 16.9% year to date.
AC Immune’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 33.25%.
Over the past 60 days, loss per share estimates for Aldeyra Therapeutics have narrowed from 43 cents to 39 cents for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 loss per share have narrowed from 22 cents to 16 cents. ALDX shares have plunged 77.6% year to date.
Aldeyra Therapeutics’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 29.25%.