** Cancer and rare diseases drugmaker Springworks Therapeutics' SWTX.O shares surge, up about 30% to $52.70 in morning trade

** Reuters reports that German healthcare and technology group, Merck KGaA MRCG.DE is in advanced talks to acquire SWTX, according to people familiar with the matter

** If the talks are successful, a deal could be signed in the coming weeks, according to Reuters' sources

** Both Springworks and Merck declined to comment

** SWTX stock has risen 12% in the last 12 months

(Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan)

((Padmanabhan.Ananthan@thomsonreuters.com;))