WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. (AP) — Merck & Co. will buy
insulin developer SmartCells in a deal that may exceed $500 million if
development and regulatory milestones are met.
Merck says SmartCells is a private company developing a form of insulin that
responds only in a specific glucose concentration range. If successful, the
treatment may lower the risk of low blood sugar compared to standard insulins
and improve control over both fasting and post-meal glucose levels.
SmartCells CEO Dr. Todd Zion developed the company’s core technology at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
