Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. expects to earn two payments from Merck & Co. Inc. worth a combined $19.5 million, thanks to progress in developing a new cancer treatment. The Cambridge, Mass.-based company (Nasdaq: VRTX - News) announced the payments in connection with an ongoing clinical and research collaboration with Merck. The payments of $7.5 million during the fiscal 2005 fourth-quarter and $12.5 million expected in 2006 recognize progress with VX-680, a potential cancer treatment that has shown promise during in early-stage trials. Merck has also chosen a second-compound as part of the collaboration.