In another move to bolster its pipeline, Merck & Co. has agreed to acquire Caraway Therapeutics for a total potential consideration of up to US$610 M. Through the takeover, Merck will gain access to Caraway’s pipeline of small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of genetically defined neurodegenerative and rare diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The acquisition marks yet another deal made by Merck this year to bolster and diversify its pipeline into further indications, as the company looks to be less reliant on its cancer drug, Keytruda, which is approaching patent expiry later this decade.