Merck and Pfizer to collaborate on diabetes drug

Pfizer and Merck & Co. are to collaborate on a phase 3 ready diabetes drug ertugliflozin.

Pfizer has already received $60 million in the deal and will earn more when milestones are reached. Merck and Pfizer are sharing profits and some costs on a 60/40 split.

John Young, president and general manager, of primary care, Pfizer said:

“Through this collaboration, we believe we can build on Merck’s leadership position in diabetes care with the introduction of ertugliflozin, an innovative SGLT2 inhibitor discovered by Pfizer scientists.”