Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
Merck's $11B Prometheus acquisition brings not just an IBD drug but a precision medicine companion diagnostic platform — a unique opportunity to establish…
Merck initiated three Phase 2b trials of tulisokibart (MK-7240) in hidradenitis suppurativa, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis;…
Merck today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Prometheus Biosciences, Inc. for $200.00 per share in cash for a total equity…
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Merck acquired Prometheus Biosciences for approximately $10.8 billion ($200.00 per share in cash; announced April 16, 2023, completed June 16, 2023), gaining PRA023 — now branded tulisokibart (MK-7240), a humanized anti-TL1A monoclonal antibody — to strengthen its immunology pipeline. The lead Phase 2 ARTEMIS-UC ulcerative colitis study (published in NEJM, September 26, 2024) showed clinical remission of 26% with tulisokibart versus 1% with placebo at week 12. Post-close, Merck advanced the asset into a two-study Phase 3 IBD program — ATLAS-UC in ulcerative colitis and ARES-CD in Crohn's disease (UC preliminary readout expected November 2026) — and on October 6, 2025 expanded development into three additional immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (hidradenitis suppurativa, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis) via new Phase 2b trials.
| Deal | Year | Value | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Prometheus Biosciences Inc. (this deal) | 2023 | $10.8B | 77 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Acceleron Pharma Inc. | 2021 | $11.5B | 90 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Peloton Therapeutics Inc. | 2019 | $2.2B | 88 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / AstraZeneca PLC | 2017 | $8.5B | 87 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Moderna, Inc. | 2022 | $250M | 86 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Moderna, Inc. | 2016 | $250M | 84 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Eisai Co., Ltd. | 2018 | $5.8B | 83 |
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More: 2023 deals · Merck & Co. Inc. deals · Dermatology deals