Merck Again Brings Out Big Bucks, Buys Cidara in $9.2B Antiviral Push
Merck is acquiring Cidara Therapeutics for $9.2 billion, paying $221.50 per share in cash.
The deal is among the top 5 largest biotech acquisitions of the year.
Cidara's lead asset, CD388, is a long-acting, strain-agnostic antiviral in phase 3 development for universal prevention of influenza.
CD388 was previously dropped by Johnson & Johnson but has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation.
The acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2026, pending regulatory clearances.
Merck aims to strengthen its portfolio ahead of Keytruda's patent expiry in 2028.
CD388 is designed as a single-dose preventative agent for high-risk patients and is not a vaccine.