Merck acquires OncoEthix for BET inhibitor

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) will pay $110 million up front to acquire cancer play OncoEthix S.A. (Lausanne, Switzerland). OncoEthix shareholders are eligible for a further $265 million in milestones.

OncoEthix's lead program OTX015 is an oral synthetic small molecule that inhibits BET bromodomain containing 2 ( BRD2), BRD3 and BRD4. OncoEthix began a Phase I/II study of the compound last month to treat recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and is conducting Phase Ib trials to treat hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. ...