Merck Deal Gives Lundbeck US Foothold

Lundbeck's $270 million deal with Merck & Co. to develop and commercialize the Phase III gaboxadol for sleep disorders in the US finally gives the Danish CNS specialist a foothold in the US market. Gaboxadol provides Merck an entry into the burgeoning insomnia market and the deal-the company's largest-ever single-product pact-is indicative of the Big Pharma's growing flexibility and acceptance of external research.