In a bid to bolster its oncology portfolio, Merck KGaA has entered into a three-year collaboration with Artios Pharma to discover and develop precision oncology candidates for up to eight targets. The deal, which is worth up to US$6.9 B, will focus on DNA nuclease inhibitors and leverage Merck’s expertise in DNA damage response pathways. Artios will retain all rights to its two lead programmes targeting Polθ and ATR.