MRK Merck and Co Inc

By Michael Dabaie

Skyhawk Therapeutics Inc. said it expanded its strategic collaboration with Merck & Co. for small molecules that modulate RNA splicing.

Skyhawk said its SkySTAR technology platform will be used to discover and develop innovative RNA-binding small molecules designed to selectively modify RNA splicing for the potential treatment of autoimmune and metabolic diseases.

Skyhawk said the Merck collaboration now spans four disease areas: neurodegeneration, oncology, autoimmunity and metabolic diseases.

Skyhawk said it will grant Merck the option to exclusively license intellectual property rights to candidates. Merck will be responsible for further development and commercialization.

Skyhawk said it will receive an upfront cash payment and potential milestone payments and royalties on sales of approved products resulting from the collaboration.

"RNA splicing modification offers a new approach to modulating targets previously considered undruggable," Dean Y. Li, senior vice president, Discovery Sciences and Translational Medicine for Merck Research Laboratories, said.

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

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 12, 2020 08:42 ET (12:42 GMT)

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