Merck entered into an exclusive global license agreement with SciBrunch Therapeutics Co., Ltd. for SPR2015, an investigational preclinical oral KRAS G12D (ON) inhibitor.

Under the deal, SciBrunch is granting Merck exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize SPR2015 worldwide, with the transaction already being closed.¹

The agreement adds a precision oncology candidate to Merck's pipeline at a time when interest in KRAS-targeted therapies continues to build across the industry, given how well-characterized the pathway has become as a driver of tumor cell growth.

What are the deal terms?

SciBrunch is set to receive an upfront payment of $400 million and is eligible for additional payments tied to development, commercialization and other milestones across multiple indications, bringing the total potential aggregate value of the transaction, including the upfront payment to $2.13 billion.¹

As part of the deal, Merck will record a related pre-tax charge of $400 million, or approximately $0.13 per share, in its GAAP and non-GAAP results for the third quarter of 2026.¹

What is SPR2015?

SPR2015 is a potent and selective novel investigational molecular glue KRAS G12D (ON) inhibitor.¹ It has demonstrated nanomolar antiproliferative activity in various KRAS G12D-mutant cell lines while maintaining good selectivity over KRAS wildtype cells.

KRAS G12D is the most common oncogenic RAS mutation found in human tumors, arising from a substitution of glycine with aspartate at position 12, a change that leaves KRAS active and continuously signaling for cell proliferation and survival.¹ SPR2015 has also shown compelling antitumor efficacy as a monotherapy across multiple in vivo cell-derived and patient-derived xenograft models, according to preclinical data presented at the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting.²

The data presented at the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting, focused on colorectal cancer, the third most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.² About 40% of colorectal cancer patients harbor KRAS mutations, and the G12D mutation accounts for the largest share of them. While other KRAS G12D inhibitors in clinical development have reported promising results in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer, none had yet demonstrated clinically meaningful monotherapy efficacy in colorectal cancer patients.²

Why does this deal matter?

"Evidence continues to accumulate for the therapeutic potential of targeting the KRAS pathway, a well-characterized factor in tumor cell growth," said George Addona, senior vice president, discovery, preclinical development and translational medicine at Merck Research Laboratories. "This agreement complements and diversifies our expanding pipeline of precision targeted candidates with SPR2015, a potent engineered inhibitor for one of the most prevalent mutant forms of KRAS found in human cancers."

For SciBrunch, the agreement represents validation of a research platform built specifically around the RAS pathway. "Since our founding, SciBrunch has remained focused on advancing innovative therapies targeting the RAS pathway and is committed to delivering transformative treatment options for patients with pancreatic, colorectal, lung, and other major malignant tumors," said Tao Hu, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of SciBrunch. "This agreement with Merck not only validates the R&D strength of our platform but also underscores the potential of SPR2015 in addressing longstanding unmet medical needs in oncology. We are excited that Merck, a global leader in oncology, will take SPR2015 forward."

The deal also extends Merck's push into precision oncology, where KRAS mutations, long considered difficult to drug, have become one of the field's most closely watched targets given their prevalence across pancreatic, colorectal and lung cancers.¹

Sources

1. Merck Enters into Exclusive Global License Agreement with SciBrunch Therapeutics for SPR2015, an Investigational Oral KRAS G12D (ON) Inhibitor Merck September 28, 2026, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260928125137/en/Merck-Enters-into-Exclusive-Global-License-Agreement-with-SciBrunch-Therapeutics-for-SPR2015-an-Investigational-Oral-KRAS-G12D-ON-Inhibitor
2. Abstract 5978: SPR2015, a highly potent and selective KRAS G12D (on) inhibitor, exhibits favorable pharmacokinetic behavior and significant anti-tumor efficacy against colorectal cancer as monotherapy in preclinical models AACR April 3, 2026, https://aacrjournals.org/cancerres/article/86/7_Supplement/5978/778768/Abstract-5978-SPR2015-a-highly-potent-and