Business · Companies · 8 hrs ago
Merck KGaA to buy Silence Therapeutics for $1.3 billion
Germany's Merck KGaA will buy UK-based Silence Therapeutics for $1.3 billion.
The deal gives Merck control of divesiran, an experimental treatment for polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer.
The disease causes the body to make too many red blood cells, raising the risk of dangerous blood clots.
In Phase 2 testing, divesiran reduced patients' need for blood withdrawals compared with a placebo, and is ready to move to Phase 3 trials.
If approved, it could compete with existing and developing treatments, including a drug from Takeda and Protagonist Therapeutics.
Merck plans to close the deal in early 2027, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, and will need to fund further trials.
Merck KGaA agreed to buy UK-based Silence Therapeutics for about $1.3 billion.
The deal gives Merck access to divesiran, an experimental RNA-based treatment for the rare blood disorder polycythemia vera.
Divesiran showed positive results in Phase 2 trials and is expected to advance to Phase 3.
Merck will pay $20 per share in cash, and the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to approvals.
Reports gave different premium figures: BioPharma Dive said 130%, while CNN Brasil and WirtschaftsWoche reported 82% based on the average share price over the previous 30 days.
- Who
- German pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA and UK drug developer Silence Therapeutics.
- What
- Merck agreed to acquire Silence for about $1.3 billion. The deal includes the experimental drug divesiran.
- When
- The agreement was announced on October 19, 2026. Closing is expected in the first quarter of 2027.
- Where
- Silence Therapeutics is based in the UK; Merck KGaA is based in Germany.
- Why
- Merck aims to expand its portfolio in rare and specialist diseases and gain a potential treatment for polycythemia vera.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Merck KGaA announced its agreement to acquire Silence Therapeutics.
The deal is expected to close, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, according to CNN Brasil.
- Purchase price
- About $1.3 billion
- Cash offer
- $20 per share
- Drug
- Divesiran
- Target condition
- Polycythemia vera
- Expected closing
- First quarter of 2027
4 sources
What people are saying
transform our pipeline toward areas of high specialization and unmet medical need, with an ongoing commitment to external innovation
Continuamos transformando nosso portfólio de desenvolvimento em direção a áreas de alta especialização
This deal takes the execution risk off the table in an increasingly competitive space and delivers near-term shareholder value from what appears to be a competitive bid process