MSD Starts the First Human Trial of a Peptide Formulated With Cyprumed's Oral Delivery Technology, Triggering a Milestone Payment
Innsbruck-based Cyprumed announced on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 that MSD (Merck & Co.) has begun a Phase 1 trial of one of its proprietary drug candidates formulated with Cyprumed's oral delivery technology, the first time the technology has been tested in people; the candidate was not disclosed. Cyprumed's tablet formulations are designed to let therapeutic peptides, including GLP-1 analogs, macrocycles, and mini-proteins, be absorbed when swallowed, using approved excipients. The trial start triggers a milestone payment under the companies' April 2025 non-exclusive license and option agreement to develop oral versions of MSD's peptides, under which Cyprumed can receive up to $493 million.