Merck & Co. (Merck Sharp & Dohme) Acquires Cidara Therapeutics

Merck KGaA to Acquire Silence Therapeutics for Approximately $1.3 Billion

October 19, 2026

Biotechnology

Merck KGaA entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Silence Therapeutics in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.3 billion on an equity basis. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to shareholder, court, regulatory and other customary approvals; it would add Silence’s siRNA pipeline and development capabilities to Merck’s portfolio.

Merck to Acquire Verona Pharma for Approximately $10 Billion

July 9, 2025

Pharmaceuticals

Merck, through a subsidiary, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Verona Pharma in a transaction valued at approximately $10 billion (at $107 per ADS). The acquisition is intended to add Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) to Merck’s cardio-pulmonary pipeline, following FDA approval for COPD in June 2024.

Roche Acquires Poseida Therapeutics

November 28, 2024

Biotechnology

Roche Holdings, Inc. has agreed to acquire San Diego-based Poseida Therapeutics for $9.00 per share in cash plus a contingent value right (CVR) for up to $4.00 per share, representing an aggregate equity value of up to $1.5 billion. The acquisition will bring Poseida's non-viral gene-editing platforms, allogeneic TSCM-rich CAR-T programs and in-house GMP cell therapy manufacturing into Roche's Pharmaceuticals Division to establish a new core capability in allogeneic cell therapy.

Merck to Acquire Acceleron Pharma Inc for $11.5B

September 30, 2021

Biotechnology

Merck (through a subsidiary) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Acceleron Pharma Inc for $180 per share in cash, for an approximate total equity value of $11.5 billion. The transaction will be completed via a tender offer followed by a merger, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to conditions including regulatory approvals and tender of at least a majority of outstanding shares.

Merck Acquires Pandion Therapeutics

February 25, 2021

Biotechnology

Merck will acquire Pandion Therapeutics for $60 per share in cash, representing an approximate total equity value of $1.85 billion, via a tender offer and subsequent merger. Pandion is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on precision immune modulators (TALON platform) with lead candidate PT101 targeting regulatory T cells for autoimmune diseases; the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2021 subject to customary conditions.

Midatech Pharma to Acquire DARA BioSciences

June 4, 2015

Pharmaceuticals

Midatech Pharma PLC entered into a merger agreement to acquire DARA BioSciences, with DARA shareholders receiving Midatech ordinary shares via ADRs and a contingent value right (CVR). The deal gives Midatech a U.S. commercial footprint and an expanded oncology supportive-care portfolio; closing was expected in Q3/Q4 2015 subject to customary conditions and ADR listing.