M&A Deal Summary

Merck Acquires Cidara Therapeutics

On November 14, 2025, Merck acquired life science company Cidara Therapeutics for 9.2B USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Merck’s 34th transaction in the Life Science sector.
  • This is Merck’s 6th largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Merck’s 28th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Merck’s 8th transaction in California.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2025-11-14
Target Cidara Therapeutics
Sector Life Science
Buyer(s) Merck
Deal Type Add-on Acquisition
Deal Value 9.2B USD
Advisor(s) Evercore Group
Goldman Sachs (Financial)
Cooley (Legal)

Target

Cidara Therapeutics

San Diego, California, United States
Cidara Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel anti-infectives. Cidara Therapeutics was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Merck

Rahway, New Jersey, United States

Category Company
Founded 1891
Sector Life Science
Employees70,000
Revenue 64.2B USD (2024)
DESCRIPTION
Merck office in Palo Alto, California.
Merck office in Palo Alto, California.

Merck is a global healthcare company that delivers health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. The Company’s operations are comprised of four operating segments: Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, Consumer Care and Alliances. Its Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products marketed either directly by the Company or through joint ventures. Human health pharmaceutical products consist of therapeutic and preventive agents, generally sold by prescription, for the treatment of human disorders. Vaccine products consist of preventive pediatric, adolescent and adult vaccines, primarily administered at physician offices. The Company also has animal health operations that discover, develop, manufacture and market animal health products, including vaccines, which the Company sells to veterinarians, distributors and animal producers. Additionally, the Company has consumer care operations that develop, manufacture and market over-the-counter, foot care and sun care products. Merck was established in 1891 and is based in Rahway, New Jersey.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 37 of 37
Sector: Life Science M&A 34 of 34
Type: Add-on Acquisition M&A Deals 35 of 35
State: California M&A 8 of 8
Country: United States M&A 28 of 28
Year: 2025 M&A 2 of 2
Size (of disclosed) 6 of 29
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2025-07-09 Verona Pharma

London, United Kingdom

Verona Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative prescription medicines to treat respiratory diseases with significant medical unmet needs. Verona Pharma was founded in 2005 and is based in London, England.

Buy $10.0B