Merck To Buy Prometheus Biosciences For $11-B

Merck & Co. has agreed to buy Prometheus Biosciences Inc. for about $10.8 billion to bolster the company's presence in immunology, the two companies said, Reuters reported.

Photo Insert: Merck has been looking for deals to protect itself from eventual revenue loss as patents on its cancer immunotherapy Keytruda begin to expire towards the end of the decade.

The joint statement said that Merck, through one of its subsidiaries, will pay $200 per share for the biotechnology company that specializes in products for the treatment of immunological diseases.

That represents a 75% premium to the $114.01 closing price for Prometheus shares on Friday. Prometheus had a market capitalization of $5.42 billion at Friday's close.

Merck has been looking for deals to protect itself from eventual revenue loss as patents on its cancer immunotherapy Keytruda begin to expire towards the end of the decade.

"The agreement with Prometheus will accelerate our growing presence in immunology where there remains substantial unmet patient need. This transaction adds diversity to our overall portfolio," said Merck Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Davis.

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