Theravance Will be Eligible for Payments Up to $148M

Theravance, Inc. THRX announced today that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, to discover, develop and commercialize novel small molecule therapeutics directed towards a target being investigated for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. In exchange for granting Merck a worldwide, exclusive license to its therapeutic candidates, Theravance will receive a $5 million upfront payment, funding for research, and be eligible for milestone payments totaling up to $148 million for the first indication and royalties on worldwide net sales of any products derived from the collaboration.