Merck KGaA to Buy London-based Silence Therapeutics for $1.3 Billion

08:40 AM EDT, 10/19/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Merck KGaA (MRK.F) agreed to acquire London-based short interfering RNA therapies developer Silence Therapeutics in a deal with an enterprise value of $1.1 billion and an equity value of $1.3 billion. The German science and technology company will pay $20 in cash per American depositary share, each representing three ordinary shares of Silence Therapeutics, or $6.6667 per ordinary share, according to a Monday release. It will fund the deal through proceeds from new debt. Deal closing is set for the first quarter of 2027, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.