Merck KGaA buys Silence in $1.3B deal after siRNA drug's phase 2 blood cancer win

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1. 2h ago

   Merck KGaA Acquires Silence Therapeutics for $1.3B

   Germany's Merck KGaA is buying Silence Therapeutics in an acquisition valued at $1.3 billion. The deal follows positive phase 2 results for Silence's lead small interfering RNA drug targeting the rare blood cancer polycythemia vera. The transaction expands Merck KGaA's rare disease buildout, hematology portfolio, and gene-silencing RNA capabilities. Silence Therapeutics stock surged 125 percent following the acquisition announcement. The agreement is scheduled to close in early 2027.

   Why it matters

   Silence Therapeutics develops gene-silencing RNA technology and its lead asset has been competing to challenge Takeda in a potential $2 billion market. Merck KGaA is making a major push into hematology and rare diseases by securing this pipeline. The acquisition values the biotech at more than double its previous market standing.

   What is confirmed

   • Merck KGaA is buying Silence Therapeutics in a deal valued at $1.3 billion.
   • Silence Therapeutics stock soared 125% following the acquisition.
   • The purchase follows a phase 2 blood cancer win for Silence Therapeutics' siRNA drug.
   • The acquisition expands Merck KGaA's capabilities in gene-silencing drugs and RNA technology.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Bloomberg reports the acquisition price as $1.1 billion rather than $1.3 billion.

   What to watch next

   • The official closing of the transaction in early 2027.
   • Regulatory approvals and closing conditions for the Merck KGaA and Silence Therapeutics deal.
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. Fierce Biotech — Merck KGaA buys Silence in $1.3B deal after siRNA drug's phase 2 blood cancer win
   2. Reuters — Germany's Merck buys Silence Therapeutics in $1.3 billion RNA drug deal
   3. Yahoo Finance — Silence Therapeutics stock soars 125% on Merck acquisition
   4. Barron's — Merck KgaA Is Paying More Than Double for This Gene-Silencing Biotech, Which Is Soaring 125%
   5. Bloomberg — Merck KGaA to Buy Silence Therapeutics for $1.1 Billion
   6. FirstWord Pharma — Merck KGaA doubles down on rare disease buildout with $1.3B Silence buy
   7. www.biospace.com — Merck KGaA makes noise in hematology with $1.1B Silence buy
   8. markets.ft.com — Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany to Acquire Silence ...
   9. www.globalbankingandfinance.com — Merck Acquires Silence Therapeutics in $1.3B RNA Drug Deal
   confidence 90%