Cidara Soars 42% After-Hours On Merck Buyout Buzz — Retail Traders Eye Blowout Premium

 Merck reportedly edged out another bidder in late-stage talks that could lead to a deal announcement as soon as Friday.

・Cidara’s CD388 flu antibody, now in phase 3 trials with FDA breakthrough status, has driven significant takeover interest.

・Retail traders debated whether the move signals a full buyout or a milestone-based deal structure.

Cidara Therapeutics’ shares surged 42% after hours on Thursday following reports that Merck is close to acquiring the biotech in a deal that could be announced as soon as Friday.

The negotiations reportedly extended late into Thursday as Merck competed with another pharmaceutical group before the seller ultimately favored its offer. The deal is expected to value Cidara above its roughly $3.3 billion market capitalization, though the final price has apparently not been set. Any agreement is likely to include upfront cash and milestone-based payments tied to clinical progress, according to a report by Financial Times.

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