Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) has agreed to acquire Cidara Therapeutics in a transaction valued at approximately $9.2 billion, following encouraging results from the company’s phase 2b trial of its lead antiviral candidate CD388.
The deal underscores the growing importance of hVIVO plc, which has partnered with Cidara throughout the drug’s development.
CD388 is a long-acting, strain-agnostic antiviral agent designed to prevent influenza infection in individuals at higher risk of complications. It offers protection against both influenza A and B and is currently in phase III clinical development, having already received Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track Designations from the US FDA.
hVIVO played a pivotal role in CD388’s progress, conducting a randomised, double-blind influenza human challenge study in 2023. The study enrolled 59 participants and demonstrated reduced viral loads in those treated with CD388 compared to placebo.
Building on this, hVIVO participated as the only UK site in Cidara’s phase IIb field study during the 2024/2025 flu season. The company screened more than 1,100 participants and dosed 817 within six weeks, achieving the highest recruitment numbers globally.
The trial met all primary and secondary endpoints, reinforcing CD388’s potential as a breakthrough therapy. In addition to clinical trial support, hVIVO has acted as the central virology laboratory for both phase 2b and phase 3 programmes. It has provided consultancy, managed global sample logistics and conducted key virology and immunology assays.
Dr Yamin Khan, Chief Executive Officer of hVIVO, said: “We congratulate Cidara on this landmark transaction in the infectious disease space with MSD. For hVIVO, this demonstrates that our human challenge trial expertise can indeed lead to significant downstream value creation.
“It also validates hVIVO’s diversification into field studies and standalone laboratory services, facilitated by our highly efficient patient recruitment and site services along with our extensive infectious disease knowledge and capabilities.”
