05:36 AM EST, 11/14/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Cidara Therapeutics ( CDTX ) shares rose more than 86% in recent pre-bell activity Friday after the Financial Times reported Thursday that Merck ( MRK ) is nearing a $9.2 billion deal to acquire the company.

Merck ( MRK ) offered to acquire Cidara for $221.50 per share in cash, sources familiar with the matter told the news outlet.

Sources also told FT that an agreement could be announced Friday, following a close bidding war that had Merck ( MRK ) contending against another prospective buyer until late Thursday.

Merck ( MRK ) and Cidara Therapeutics ( CDTX ) did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' requests for comments.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Price: 198.00, Change: +92.01, Percent Change: +86.81