Merck peddles a pair of neuroscience programs to Baltimore biotech

Cerecor, a Baltimore-based biotech focused on neuroscience, has picked up two CNS programs from the U.S. drug giant Merck ($MRK). The biotech outfit acquired exclusive global rights to MK-0657, an NR2B antagonist, as well as similar rights to catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors from Merck. Merck initially studied MRK-0657 for Parkinson's disease, yet Cerecor says that the compound impacts a pathway involving depression and other disorders. The COMT inhibitors also offer the potential to treat multiple neuroscience targets. COMT program release | MK-0657 release