Merck & Co Inc is to acquire the cancer drug developer ArQule Inc in order to gain access to a small molecule drug for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. The value of the transaction is $2.7 billion and features a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, ARQ 531, currently in Phase 2 clinical development. The deal, agreed by both parties, is expected to close early in the 2020 first quarter.
