Cyprumed GmbH, a drug delivery company specializing in oral peptide formulations and Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S., have signed a Non-Exclusive License and Option Agreement to develop oral formulations of MSD’s peptides using Cyprumed’s innovative drug delivery technology.

Under the terms of the agreement, MSD gained non-exclusive global rights to Cyprumed’s oral peptide delivery platform for an undisclosed number of targets. The agreement also grants MSD the option to exclusively license Cyprumed’s technology for use with individual targets. 

MSD will be responsible for the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of any product utilizing the Cyprumed delivery technology under the agreement.

Cyprumed will be eligible to receive up to $493 million in upfront, development, regulatory, and net sales milestones associated with the approval of any products under the collaboration. Cyprumed may receive additional payments if MSD exercises its Exclusive License Option. 

“Our drug delivery technology, with its proven effectiveness and scalability, has the potential to unlock new opportunities in peptide therapeutics. Continuing this collaboration with MSD to develop our innovative tablet formulations for additional targets is a great validation of our technology,” said Florian Föger, Ph.D., CEO of Cyprumed.