# Merck KGaA agrees to buy Silence Therapeutics for approximately $1.3bn

_Published Monday, October 19, 2026 at 12:18 PM EDT · Science, Products · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Merck to acquire Silence Therapeutics in $1.3bn RNA deal — Primary](https://www.manufacturingchemist.com/article-image-alias/merck-to-acquire-silence-therapeutics-in.png)

Merck KGaA agreed to acquire Silence Therapeutics for approximately $1.3bn, adding an RNA interference platform and investigational medicines to its pipeline. The transaction has unanimous approval from Silence's board and would be funded through new debt using a UK scheme of arrangement.

The acquisition includes divesiran, a treatment designed to silence a gene involved in iron regulation for patients with polycythaemia vera, a rare blood cancer. It is considered ready to progress into Phase III development. Closing is expected in the first quarter of 2027, subject to customary conditions; further clinical development must establish the treatment's safety and efficacy.

## Sources

- [manufacturingchemist](https://www.manufacturingchemist.com/merck-acquire-silence-therapeutics-1-3bn-rna)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/OSYcZcwS-hlOc7cy6XJZRL
Published: 2026-10-19T16:18:44.555Z
Story chronology: 2026-10-18T23:59:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-19T19:21:07.042Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)