Merck KGaA agrees to acquire Silence Therapeutics in an all-cash deal
On October 19, Merck KGaA agreed to acquire UK biotech Silence Therapeutics in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.3 billion, with holders receiving $20.00 per ADS. The deal gives Merck control of Silence's siRNA pipeline, including Divesiran, which reported an 88% responder rate versus 19% for placebo in the Phase 2 SANRECO study. Completion is targeted for the first quarter of 2027, pending shareholder, regulatory and other closing approvals.
