MSD licenses KRAS G12D drug from China’s SciBrunch in US$2.13B oncology deal
The deal comes as pharmaceutical companies increase investment in therapies that target RAS, a family of proteins involved in regulating cell growth and division.
CHINA — MSD has licensed a preclinical KRAS inhibitor from Shanghai-based SciBrunch Therapeutics to expand its oncology pipeline and strengthen its position in RAS-targeted cancer therapies.
Under the agreement, MSD will pay SciBrunch US$400 million upfront and up to US$1.73 billion in development and commercial milestone payments for exclusive global rights to SPR2015.
The oral therapy is designed to inhibit KRAS G12D in its active, or “on,” state.
MSD said KRAS G12D is one of the most common RAS mutations found in human tumours.
Preclinical data support further development
Public details of the deal are limited, but MSD said preclinical studies have shown antitumour activity for SPR2015.
Tests using KRAS G12D-mutant cell lines indicated that the compound could selectively inhibit the growth and division of cancer cells while having less effect on cells carrying the wild-type form of KRAS.
The company also cited results from in vivo studies and patient-derived xenograft models, which showed antitumour activity when SPR2015 was administered as a standalone treatment.
SPR2015 remains at the preclinical stage, meaning further studies will be required to establish its safety, efficacy, and potential clinical applications in humans.
Growing interest in RAS-targeted therapies
The deal comes as pharmaceutical companies increase investment in therapies that target RAS, a family of proteins involved in regulating cell growth and division.
KRAS, one member of the RAS family, has historically been difficult to target, although recent advances have produced several drug development programmes aimed at specific KRAS mutations and activation states.
Interest in RAS(ON) inhibition has also increased following the Phase III development and subsequent approval of Revolution Medicines’ Rasonque (daraxonrasib) in pancreatic cancer.
The company reported that the therapy doubled overall survival in its pivotal study and described it as the first RAS(ON) inhibitor to reach the market.
For MSD, the SciBrunch agreement adds another experimental oncology programme as the company prepares for the eventual loss of market exclusivity for Keytruda (pembrolizumab), its leading product.
MSD expects Keytruda’s market exclusivity to expire in 2028.
China becomes an important source of pipeline assets
MSD has increasingly used partnerships with Chinese biotechnology companies to expand its development portfolio.
Recent transactions have included agreements with LaNova Medicines and Sichuan Kelun Biotech, giving the company access to additional experimental medicines and technology platforms.
The company has also pursued acquisitions to replenish its pipeline.
In March, MSD completed its US$6.7 billion acquisition of Terns Pharma, gaining access to an asset focused on blood cancers.
The company had also been reported to be considering an acquisition of Revolution Medicines for as much as US$32 billion, although no transaction was completed.
In 2025, MSD spent US$19.2 billion on acquisitions, including the purchases of cardiopulmonary specialist Verona Pharma and respiratory disease biotech Cidara Therapeutics.
The latest licensing agreement gives MSD another external source of oncology innovation while keeping SPR2015 development at an early stage.
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