Merck said it is paying $400 million upfront to license a KRAS G12D inhibitor from China’s SciBrunch Therapeutics, according to the report. The deal values the license at $2.13 billion if future milestones are achieved, extending Merck’s focus on targeting the KRAS G12D mutation space. The license follows a prior KRAS G12D asset history involving other licensing transactions, highlighting how competition for KRAS-driven oncology targets continues to concentrate around specific mutant forms. For Merck, the payment signals renewed balance-sheet commitment to preclinical oncology pipeline bets as it builds out mutation-selective programs.