Merck Eyes Potential Acquisition of Precision Oncology Company Personalis
Personalis, a precision oncology company, has hired investment banks Centerview and TD Securities, along with law firm Cooley, to review its strategic options. According to a report in Street Insider, Merck has expressed interest in acquiring Personalis, along with two other suitors. This news has driven PSNL stock up 5% after-hours on Thursday.
Merck's long-standing relationship with Personalis through collaborations on individualized therapies contributed $4.9 million in revenue for the company in its full-year 2025 financial results, more than double the $2.0 million recorded in 2024. Merck also invested $50 million in Personalis through a private placement in late 2024.
Personalis remains unprofitable, with trailing 12-month revenue of around $64.5 million and a net loss of about $95.5 million. Merck is attempting to diversify its pipeline as its cancer drug Keytruda nears core U.S. patent expirations in late 2028.
On Stocktwits, retail traders have been extremely bullish on PSNL stock, with one user saying 'Good for us stockholdders.' However, some users expressed doubts about Merck acquiring the company for a discount, as the stock has nearly doubled year-to-date.