Founded in 2011, Peloton Therapeutics Inc. is an oncology drug discovery and development company advancing first-in-class small molecule therapies that provide patients suffering from life-threatening diseases with new therapeutic options. Peloton is developing a new oral treatment, PT2977, to target late-stage renal cell carcinoma. This treatment represents the culmination of over two decades of research at UT Southwestern, beginning with gene discovery. Merck & Company Inc., a recognized leader in cancer research, acquired this company in 2019 for an upfront payment of approximately $1 billion and potential milestones of an additional $1 billion. The acquisition will help advance the development of therapeutic medications for patients with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.