Pharma sells the rights to Germany’s Cheplapharm, which obtained EU/Russia rights in October. Cerecor will acquire Aevi Genomics for $16.1m plus contingent value rights.

The deal worth up to $576m gives Merck what Calporta founding investor Avalon believes is the most advanced program targeting TRPML1, a lysosomal ion channel implicated in neurodegenerative diseases when the lysosome stops clearing debris from cells.

Lupin plans to invest in acquisitions and organic growth in the US and India after selling Japanese subsidiary Kyowa Pharma for an enterprise value of around $525m to Japan private equity group Unison Capital. But the Indian firm stresses it is not exiting Japan and will continue to look for marketing partnerships.