Skyhawk Therapeutics announced a significant strategic collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a global leader in science and technology. The agreement focuses on the discovery of new RNA-targeting small molecules to treat a range of neurological disorders with high unmet medical needs. This partnership will leverage Skyhawk's proprietary SkySTAR® platform, which is designed to identify and develop small molecule candidates that modulate RNA expression and splicing. The collaboration aims to pioneer new therapeutic approaches for diseases where traditional methods have struggled, combining Skyhawk's specialized expertise with Merck KGaA's extensive experience in drug development and commercialization.

Under the terms of the agreement, Skyhawk will lead the initial discovery and preclinical development efforts. After this phase, Merck KGaA will have the option to acquire exclusive global rights to the drug candidates. If Merck KGaA exercises this option, it will then take over full responsibility for all further development and commercialization of the products. The total value of the deal could exceed $2 billion, which includes upfront payments and a series of milestone payments for Skyhawk. Additionally, Skyhawk will be eligible to receive tiered royalties on any future commercial sales of the products developed from this collaboration. Both companies expressed optimism about the partnership, noting its potential to create transformative medicines. Amy Kao, Senior Vice President at Merck KGaA, highlighted that the collaboration aligns with their strategic focus on innovative technologies that can deliver impactful medicines to patients. Similarly, Skyhawk's CEO, Bill Haney, noted that the collaboration underscores the power of their platform to address challenging disease biology through precise RNA targeting.