MRK Merck and Co Inc

By Michael Dabaie

Skyhawk Therapeutics Inc. said it is in a strategic collaboration with Merck & Co. (MRK).

The company said it is collaborating with Merck, which is known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, on small molecules that modulate RNA splicing for the potential treatment of certain neurological diseases and cancer.

Skyhawk said it is eligible to receive about $600 million per program target consisting of an upfront cash payment and, if Merck exercises its option, potential opt-in fees, milestone payments, as well as royalties on sales of commercialized products.

Skyhawk will grant Merck the option to exclusively license worldwide intellectual property rights to candidates discovered and developed under the collaboration that are directed to program targets.

Write to Michael Dabaie at michael.dabaie@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 08, 2019 08:14 ET (12:14 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.