Merck to Acquire Cidara Therapeutics, Inc., Diversifying Its Portfolio to Include Late-Phase Antiviral Agent

Core Insights - Merck is acquiring Cidara Therapeutics for $221.50 per share, totaling approximately $9.2 billion, to diversify its portfolio with the late-phase antiviral agent CD388 [1][2][4] Company Overview - Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, focuses on science-led business development and aims to enhance its pipeline with innovative therapeutics [2][12] - Cidara Therapeutics specializes in developing drug-Fc conjugate (DFC) therapeutics, with its lead candidate CD388 targeting influenza prevention [1][10] Product Details - CD388 is a long-acting, strain-agnostic antiviral agent currently in Phase 3 trials, designed to prevent influenza in high-risk individuals [1][8] - The drug has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA, supported by positive results from the Phase 2b NAVIGATE study [2][11] Clinical Trials - The ongoing Phase 3 ANCHOR study aims to evaluate CD388's safety and efficacy among adults and adolescents at higher risk for influenza complications, with a target enrollment of 6,000 participants [9][11] - The NAVIGATE study demonstrated that CD388 met all primary and secondary endpoints for preventing symptomatic influenza in healthy adults [2][11] Strategic Importance - The acquisition is expected to enhance Merck's respiratory portfolio, addressing significant global health threats posed by influenza, which affects approximately 1 billion people annually [3][7] - Merck's global development and regulatory capabilities will support the commercialization of CD388, potentially providing a new option alongside existing vaccines and antivirals [3][4]