Merck & Co., Inc. × Cidara Therapeutics, Inc.
Merck announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Cidara Therapeutics for approximately $9.2 billion. [56, 58] The deal was first announced in November 2025, but the tender offer was completed and the acquisition finalized on January 7, 2026. [58] The acquisition is described as an asset acquisition, focused on Cidara's lead candidate, CD388, a Phase 3 antiviral for influenza prevention which has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA. [50, 56]
The asset
The entire company, primarily for its lead candidate CD388, a long-acting antiviral in Phase 3 development designed to prevent influenza A and B.
- 6k Phase 3 trial participants (target)
The record
- Seller status
- Going concern
- Sector
- biotechnology
- Modalities
- clinical_trial_data
- Jurisdiction
- US
- Personal data
- Clinical trial data is typically pseudonymized, but no specific details were provided in the sources.
What it means if you hold data
This transaction highlights the strategy of acquiring companies with late-stage clinical assets to secure future revenue streams, particularly assets like long-acting antivirals that address large public health markets. The valuation underscores the premium placed on assets with strong Phase 2/3 data and a clear regulatory path.