Overview
- Merck will pay $221.50 per share in cash, valuing Cidara at about $9.2 billion, a roughly 109% premium to its prior price.
- Cidara’s stock jumped more than 100% on Nov. 14 following the acquisition announcement.
- The lead asset, CD388, is in the phase 3 ANCHOR study after mid‑stage data showed roughly 76% protection against influenza.
- Reporting indicates the deal is expected to close next quarter, with a competing bid viewed as unlikely.
- Cidara projects the seasonal preventive could reach over 100 million Americans with peak sales around $3.1 billion by 2040 if approved.