(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 14 nov - The US pharmaceuticals company Merck & Co is nearing a 9.2 billion dollar deal to buy Cidara Therapeutics, a drugmaker pioneering a long-acting antibody medicine that protects against the flu, the Finacial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

According to the FT, Merck was still competing with another bidder late Thursday for Cidara, before Cidara favored Merck's 221.50 dollar a share cash offer.

The newspaper noted that a deal could be announced as early.

as today.

(RADIOCOR) 14-11-25 12:07:56 (0310) 5 NNNN