Shares of Cidara Therapeutics (CDTX) surged 13.63% in after-hours trading on Thursday, as news broke about a potential acquisition by pharmaceutical giant Merck. The significant jump in stock price comes amid reports that Merck is nearing a deal to acquire the flu treatment start-up.

According to the Financial Times, Merck is in advanced talks to purchase Cidara Therapeutics. The deal is expected to value Cidara at a premium to its current market capitalization of $3.3 billion, highlighting the potential value Merck sees in Cidara's flu treatment technology. This premium valuation is likely the primary driver behind the stock's impressive after-hours performance.

Investors and market watchers are eagerly anticipating further details, as sources suggest the announcement could come as soon as Friday. The imminent nature of the potential deal has created a buzz in the pharmaceutical sector, with many seeing this as a strategic move by Merck to bolster its position in the flu treatment market. As always, investors are advised to stay tuned for official announcements and to consider the inherent risks associated with pre-deal stock movements.