Merck Encycles through Canada

The first disclosed grant under Merck & Co. Inc.'s Canadian translational initiative will bolster the ability of macrocycle-based Encycle Therapeutics Inc. to conduct lead optimization of its integrin α4b7 inhibitors for inflammatory bowel disease.

Last year, Merck launched the initiative with a C$4 million ($3.5 million) fund to support-and give a first look at-research from early stage companies and academic institutes across the country...