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Lycera, Merck in second deal

February 13, 2013 1:41 AM UTC

Lycera Corp. (Ann Arbor, Mich.) partnered with Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to discover, develop and commercialize small molecules against undisclosed targets for autoimmune diseases. Lycera will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and research funding and is eligible to receive more than $300 million in milestones, plus royalties and additional sales milestones. Merck will be responsible for clinical development and will have worldwide rights to any products resulting from the deal. The partners declined to provide details.

This is the second deal between Lycera and Merck. The companies are already partnered under a 2011 deal to discover, develop and commercialize small molecules against the retinoic acid related orphan receptor ( ROR) gamma for autoimmune diseases. Under that deal, Lycera is eligible for up to $295 million in research, development and regulatory milestones, plus low double-digit royalties and additional sales milestones (see BioCentury Extra, March 3, 2011). ...