Skyhawk Therapeutics, Inc. has expanded its strategic collaboration with Merck to discover, develop and commercialize small molecules that modulate RNA splicing. Skyhawk will leverage its SkySTAR platform to develop drug candidates directed to multiple new targets for autoimmune and metabolic diseases. Skyhawk is eligible to receive approximately $600 million per program in an upfront payment and, if Merck exercises its option, potential milestones and royalties on sales of commercialized products.

Skyhawk’s SkySTAR technology platform will be employed to discover and develop innovative RNA-binding small molecules designed to selectively modify RNA splicing, as a new modality for the potential treatment of certain autoimmune and metabolic diseases. The collaboration now spans four disease areas: neurodegeneration, oncology, autoimmunity, and metabolic diseases.

Skyhawk will grant Merck the option to exclusively license worldwide intellectual property rights to candidates discovered and developed under the collaboration. Merck will be responsible for further development and commercialization.  

“RNA splicing modification offers a new approach to modulating targets previously considered undruggable,” said Dr. Dean Y. Li, senior vice president, Discovery Sciences and Translational Medicine, Merck Research Laboratories.  “We look forward to expanding our collaborative efforts to explore the potential of this new modality in additional disease areas.”