Merck acquiring Avalon lysosomal disorder play Calporta

Keen to take advantage of the rising importance of autophagy, Merck has acquired Avalon Ventures-backed Calporta for up to $576 million. Based on research from the University of Michigan, Calporta has preclinical compounds against TRPML1, a key ion channel in autophagy, to treat lysosomal storage and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Calporta Therapeutics Inc. is Avalon’s second exit from a 2013 build-to-buy deal with GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK); the pharma has effectively bowed out of the partnership (see “Bigger Build-to-Buy”)...