Merck Assumes Responsibility for Development of MK-8690

Merck, through a subsidiary (Prometheus BioSciences), has reached an agreement with Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH to discontinue an existing contract concerning co-development and co-commercialization rights in certain territories for MK-8690 (formerly PRA-052), and for Merck to assume full responsibility for the development program going forward.

MK-8690 is an investigational anti-CD30 ligand monoclonal antibody being evaluated by Merck in an early-stage clinical trial.

Under the terms of the agreement, Prometheus BioSciences (Prometheus) and Falk have discontinued their collaboration based on their existing co-development contract resulting in Prometheus having secured global rights to MK-8690. In exchange, Falk will receive a $150 million upfront payment and is eligible to receive a payment associated with a development milestone as well as royalties on sales in certain territories. The original contract between Falk and Prometheus was signed in 2020. Merck subsequently acquired Prometheus in 2023.