M&A

Merck has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Mirus Bio for $600m.

Mirus Bio is currently part of Gamma Biosciences, a life sciences company based in Madison, Wisconsin, US. It specialises in the development and commercialisation of transfection reagents, which are crucial in the production of viral vector-based gene therapies. The deal is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2024, and is still subject to regulatory clearance as well as other closing conditions.

Matthias Heinzel, member of Merck’s executive board and chief executive officer of Life Science, commented: “Viral vector-based cell and gene therapies have demonstrated their potential with more than 20 approvals over the last ten years and will continue to advance, with a projected growth of 30% until 2028. This acquisition, combined with our comprehensive portfolio, enables us to provide a truly differentiated and integrated offering to meet the growing demand for these life-saving therapies.”

Dale Gordon, chief executive officer of Mirus Bio, stated: “We have been driving innovation in nucleic acid delivery for two decades. Merck’s broad portfolio, scale and global reach, combined with our leading transfection reagents, will help take our business to even greater heights and allow us to serve more customers, and ultimately patients, worldwide.”