Merck KGaA and Skyhawk Therapeutics Launch $2B RNA-Targeting Neurology Collaboration

Merck KGaA and Skyhawk Therapeutics announced a partnership valued at over $2 billion to discover novel RNA-targeting small molecule drugs for neurological disorders, using Skyhawk's proprietary SkySTAR platform12345.

Skyhawk will lead the discovery and preclinical development of drug candidates, leveraging AI and computational biology to design molecules that modulate RNA splicing and can cross the blood-brain barrier34.

Merck KGaA will have exclusive global rights to the drug candidates upon exercising its option, and will handle further development and commercialization4.

Skyhawk is eligible for significant milestone payments and tiered royalties from Merck KGaA, depending on the progress and commercial success of the therapies245.

The collaboration aims to address neurological indications with high unmet medical need, expanding therapeutic strategies to diseases that have resisted traditional drug approaches1234.

This deal follows Merck KGaA’s strengthening of its neurology and RNA-focused portfolio, including its recent acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics5.

Sources:

1. https://www.worldpharmaceuticals.net/news/skyhawk-merck-enter-2bn-collaboration-for-rna-targeting-therapies/

2. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/merck-kgaa-swoops-2b-neurological-disease-pact-skyhawk

3. https://trial.medpath.com/news/af3f9fb0cd576e4d/merck-kgaa-partners-with-skyhawk-therapeutics-in-2-billion-rna-splicing-collaboration-for-neurological-disorders

4. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/skyhawk-therapeutics-announces-strategic-collaboration-with-merck-kgaa-darmstadt-germany-to-discover-novel-rna-targeting-small-molecules-for-neurological-disorders-302531254.html

5. https://www.pharmexec.com/view/skyhawk-therapeutics-merck-kgaa-strike-multi-billion-dollar-deal-advance-rna-therapies-neurology