Microbiotix, Inc. entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Merck & Co. Inc. As part of this agreement, Microbiotix gains worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize MBX-700 and MBX-701 (formerly SCH 900942 and SCH 900188), two non-nucleoside inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase. MBX-700 is in Phase I clinical testing and MBX-701 is currently in preclinical development.

Merck is eligible for milestone payments during development stages of the candidates, and for royalty payments from any resulting products. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.