March 17 Quick Takes: Merck-Amathus enter neurodegenerative disease collaboration; plus WuXi, Sana-Fujifilm, Rubius, Inflammatix, StrideBio and more

Amathus Therapeutics entered a strategic collaboration with Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to develop small molecules for neurodegenerative diseases. Under the deal, Amathus will identify and conduct preclinical development of chaperone activators, and Merck holds an option to acquire Amathus and its portfolio of mitochondrial targeted therapies for genetically defined neurodegenerative disorders and renal diseases.

Amathus, which is backed by Sanofi Ventures and the Dementia Discovery Fund, will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and be eligible for more than $500 million in milestones per program should Merck exercise its option. The biotech is among a growing crop of neurology-focused start-ups pursuing genetically defined diseases...