Stocks in the US Respond Strongly | Merck Acquires Cidara Therapeutics for $920 Million, CDTX.US Rises Over 105% at Opening

According to the Caijing App, on Friday, Cidara Therapeutics (CDTX.US) soared more than 105% at the opening, reaching a new high of $217.8, the highest in eight years. On the news front, Merck (MRK.US) announced that it has reached a final agreement to acquire Cidara Therapeutics through its subsidiary for $221.50 per share in cash, with a total transaction value of about $9.2 billion. Cidara Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company that pioneered long-acting flu antibodies. The deal has been approved by both boards of directors, but still requires approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act (HSR) and other customary closing conditions. The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. Dr. Li Dian, President of Merck Research Laboratories, said that this acquisition expands and enhances our respiratory product portfolio and research and development pipeline.