Merck KGaA in Advanced Talks to Acquire SpringWorks Therapeutics?

“The right target, at the right time, for the right price” 

…is and always has been a guiding principle for Merck KGaA, as stated by its CEO, Belen Garijo.

It appears that Merck KGaA has now identified the ‘right’ acquisition target - SpringWorks Therapeutics. As reported by Reuters, Merck KGaA is in advanced talks to acquire the US-based cancer and rare disease biotech SpringWorks.

The potential deal, which could be finalized in the coming weeks, is expected to expand Merck’s oncology pipeline, amid its recent clinical setbacks, including the failure of xevinapant.

SpringWorks’ Key Assets:

👉 Ogsiveo (nirogacestat; gamma secretase inhibitor) - Approved as a monotherapy in the US for adult desmoid tumors. It generated $61.5M in net revenue in Q4’24, with full-year 2024 sales reaching $172M.

- Ongoing clinical trials aim to expand its indication to pediatric desmoid tumors, ovarian granulosa cell tumors, and multiple myeloma.

👉 Mirdametinib (MEK Inhibitor) – Currently under priority review by the US FDA for adult and pediatric NF1-associated plexiform neurofibromas, with the regulatory decision expected by Feb’25. The drug has received Orphan Drug, Fast Track and Rare Pediatric Disease designations for this indication.

- Additionally, it is under development for other cancers, including pediatric low-grade gliomas, RAS/RAF mutant and other MAPK pathway aberrant solid tumors

👉 Other early-stage assets include brimarafenib (BGB-3245; RAF Fusion and Dimer Inhibitor), SW-682 (TEAD Inhibitor), SW-3431 (PP2A Activator)

Some of the interesting questions related to this potential acquisition are - 

• What are the strategic synergies between these two organizations?

• Which potential combinations could enter clinical trials post-acquisition?

• What is the long-term revenue potential of Ogsiveo (nirogacestat) and mirdametinib?

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