Lycera Expands Partnership with Merck for Potential $600M

Lycera Corp. doubled its sweet 2011 deal with Merck and Co. Inc., of Whitehouse Station, N.J., in a new agreement designed to expand on the companies' prior relationship, which has centered on retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR[gamma]t). Lycera will receive an undisclosed up-front payment and research funding, and could receive more than $300 million in milestone payments based on research, development, regulatory and commercial accomplishments, plus royalties on marketed products.