March 24 (Reuters) - Merck ( MRK ) is nearing a roughly

$6 billion all-cash deal to buy biotech firm Terns Pharma

, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people

familiar with the matter.

Talks between Merck ( MRK ) and Terns were at an advanced stage and

a deal could be reached in the coming days, the report added.

Merck ( MRK ) and Terns Pharma did not immediately respond to

Reuters' request for comment.