Merck & Co. is nearing a deal to acquire Cidara Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing a long-acting antibody treatment for influenza, according to a Financial Times report citing people familiar with the matter. The transaction could be announced as early as Friday and is expected to value Cidara above its current market capitalization of $3.3 billion, barring any last-minute complications.
As of late Thursday, Merck was still competing with another pharmaceutical company for the acquisition, but the seller ultimately leaned toward Merck's offer. While the exact deal value remains undisclosed, it is likely to include a mix of upfront cash and milestone-based payments tied to clinical trial progress - a structure commonly used in the biotech sector when promising drug candidates are still in development.
FDA Breakthrough Designation Drives Interest
The potential acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for Cidara, which recently received breakthrough therapy designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its investigational drug CD388. The treatment is designed to prevent influenza A and B in individuals at high risk of severe illness, a population with significant unmet medical needs. The FDA's breakthrough designation is intended to accelerate the development and review of innovative therapies that could offer substantial clinical benefits.
Strategic Expansion of Infectious Disease Portfolio
Industry analysts note that Merck's interest in Cidara underscores its strategy to strengthen its infectious disease pipeline and expand its portfolio of next-generation antiviral treatments. If finalized, the acquisition would position Merck to capitalize on growing market demand for advanced flu prevention options, especially following heightened global awareness of respiratory viruses in recent years.
Market Response and Industry Implications
Cidara's stock closed Thursday's regular trading at $105.99, down $1.13 or 1.05%. However, in after-hours trading following the acquisition report, the stock surged $49.01 or 46.24%, reflecting investor optimism about the potential deal.
The reported transaction highlights the increasing competition among pharmaceutical companies to secure cutting-edge biotech assets with strong clinical potential, reinforcing the value of innovative drug platforms in today's healthcare landscape. Both Cidara Therapeutics and Merck have declined to comment on the report.
