MSD to Complete Acquisition of Cidara Therapeutics

Original from: MSD

MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA), today announced the successful completion of the cash tender offer, through a subsidiary, for all the outstanding shares of common stock of Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDTX) (“Cidara”).

“The acquisition of Cidara strengthens and complements our expanding respiratory portfolio and exemplifies our business development strategy of investing where compelling science and value meet,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, MSD. “CD388, a potentially first-in-class, long-acting antiviral with strain-agnostic properties, underscores that approach. We look forward to building on Cidara’s progress and further evaluating the potential of this candidate for the prevention of symptomatic influenza in certain individuals at high risk of complications.”

MSD completed the cash offer at a purchase price of $221.50 per share of common stock of Cidara, without interest and subject to deduction for any required tax withholding. As of the tender offer expiration at one minute after 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on January 6, 2026, 27,149,333 shares of common stock were validly tendered and not withdrawn, representing approximately 85.96% of the total number of Cidara’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock. All such shares have been accepted for payment in accordance with the terms of the tender offer, and MSD expects to promptly pay for such shares.

MSD intends to complete today the acquisition through a merger of MSD’s wholly owned subsidiary with and into Cidara, with Cidara being the surviving corporation, in which all shares of common stock not tendered into the offer will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive cash equal to the $221.50 offer price per common share, without interest and subject to deduction for any required tax withholding. After the completion of the merger, Cidara will become a wholly owned subsidiary of MSD and the common stock of Cidara will no longer be listed or traded on the Nasdaq Global Market. The acquisition is expected to be accounted for as an asset acquisition, resulting in a charge that will increase 2026 research and development expenses by approximately $9.0 billion or approximately $3.65 per share, included in GAAP and non-GAAP results. Additionally, GAAP and non-GAAP EPS are expected to be negatively impacted by approximately $0.30 per share in the first 12 months, representing costs associated with advancing CD388 and costs of financing.

Source: MSD to Complete Acquisition of Cidara Therapeutics