In one of the most decisive strategic moves in the biotech sector this year, pharmaceutical titan Merck & Co. NYSE: MRK has committed a formidable $9.2 billion in cash to acquire Cidara Therapeutics NASDAQ: CDTX.
Shares of Cidara Therapeutics (CDTX) more than doubled Friday after Merck (MRK) agreed to buy the biopharmaceutical firm in an all-cash deal worth $9.2 billion to expand its reach in antiviral treatments.
Merck is facing a patent cliff for Keytruda and upheaval in the market for Gardasil.
Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK, ETR:6MK) announced it has agreed to acquire Cidara Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:CDTX) in a $9.2 billion cash deal, paying $221.50 per share, more than double Cidara's stock price prior to the announcement. Shares of Merck slipped 1.5% to about $92 on the news, while Cidara shares surged 105% to $217.
Merck & Co. has struck a $9.2 billion deal to buy biotechnology company Cidara Therapeutics in a move that bolsters the drugmaker's respiratory portfolio.
Merck will acquire Cidara Therapeutics in a nearly $9.2 billion deal, the companies said on Friday, gaining access to an experimental drug for flu prevention.
Merck (MRK) is close to acquiring Cidara Therapeutics (CDTX) in a deal potentially exceeding $3.3 billion, with announcement expected soon. CDTX shares surged 85% on news of the potential acquisition, which may include upfront cash and milestone-based payouts.
Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. ( CDTX ) Q3 2025 Earnings Call November 6, 2025 5:00 PM EST Company Participants Jeffrey Stein - President, CEO & Executive Director Nicole Davarpanah - Chief Medical Officer Shane Ward - COO & Corporate Secretary Les Tari - Chief Scientific Officer Jim Beitel - Chief Business Officer Conference Call Participants Brian Ritchie - Lifesci Advisors, LLC Maxwell Skor - Morgan Stanley, Research Division Seamus Fernandez - Guggenheim Securities, LLC, Research Division Eric Schmidt - Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Research Division Brian Abrahams - RBC Capital Markets, Research Division Joseph Stringer - Needham & Company, LLC, Research Division Sara Nik - H.C. Wainwright & Co, LLC, Research Division Presentation Operator Good day, and welcome to the Cidara Therapeutics Q3 2025 Conference Call.
Cidara's CD388 is a novel flu prophylactic designed for universal prevention of seasonal and pandemic influenza through a single dose, with potential to be the new standard-of-care. Phase 2 data showed efficacy of 78% for the highest dose, well ahead of traditional vaccines. Accelerated Phase 3 enrollment, with interim analysis in March 2026 and data readout expected around June 2026.
Cidara Therapeutics wins FDA Breakthrough Therapy tag for CD388 for the prevention of seasonal influenza. Stock rises.
Cidara Therapeutics (CDTX) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reflecting growing optimism about the company's earnings prospects. This might drive the stock higher in the near term.
Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDTX ) Morgan Stanley 23rd Annual Global Healthcare Conference September 9, 2025 7:00 AM EDT Company Participants Ryuk Byun - Managing Director Jeffrey Stein - President, CEO & Executive Director Frank Karbe - Chief Financial Officer Presentation Ryuk Byun Managing Director Good morning, everyone. Thank you very much for carving out time this morning to attend the Morgan Stanley Healthcare Conference.