News Article
Merck to acquire London biotech company for $1.1bn
German multinational science and technology company Merck KGaA has announced a definitive agreement to acquire London-headquartered biotech company Silence Therapeutics.
This transaction represents a significant expansion of the Darmstadt based group’s rare disease and specialty healthcare portfolio, reinforcing its ambition to become a global leader in specialised innovation. The deal carries an enterprise value of roughly $1.1bn.
The transaction’s primary attraction is divesiran, a phase 3 ready investigational therapy designed to a rare blood cancer.
The acquisition follows the group’s purchase of SpringWorks Therapeutics last year, further signalling a strategic pivot toward high unmet medical needs. The transaction will be conducted via a UK scheme of arrangement and is projected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and the support of Silence shareholders.
