Merck Buys Terns for $6.7 Billion
Merck agreed to buy Terns for $6.7 billion. Terns is developing an oral treatment for CML, a blood cancer.
This deal strengthens Merck's cancer pipeline. Merck's top cancer drug is Keytruda.
Keytruda loses patent protection in 2028. The deal helps Merck prepare for that loss.
Klear Note — Patent protection lets drug makers sell exclusively. When patents expire, cheaper generic versions flood the market. Merck needs new drugs to replace lost Keytruda sales.
Key Terms 4
- Terns A company making new cancer drugs
- CML Chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer
- Keytruda Merck's best-selling cancer drug
- patent protection Legal right to be the only seller of a drug