Genmab Nears Deal to Buy Merus, Dutch Cancer Drugmaker
ByAinvest
Sunday, Sep 28, 2025 6:24 pm ET2min read
GMAB--
Merus, based in Utrecht, Netherlands, is listed on the Nasdaq and has a market capitalization of approximately $5.2 billion. If the acquisition goes through, it would represent Genmab's largest deal ever, given Genmab's market value of roughly 118 billion kroner ($18.5 billion) [1].
Merus' shares have surged since the company announced in May that its experimental drug, petosemtamab, showed greater efficacy than the current standard of care in shrinking tumors in head-and-neck cancer patients when used in combination with Keytruda [1]. The drug is expected to become a blockbuster, potentially reaching more than $1 billion in sales by 2030, according to Bloomberg Intelligence [1]. Additionally, Merus is testing petosemtamab's efficacy in treating advanced forms of colon cancer, a larger and potentially more lucrative market than the one for head-and-neck cancer.
Smaller competitor Bicara Therapeutics is also developing a treatment for the same condition but is further behind Merus in terms of progress [1].
Top Oncology Stocks to Watch
Barclays has identified several standout opportunities in the Oncology and Inflammation & Immunology (I&I) space, highlighting companies advancing innovative protein degradation platforms and targeted therapies. These stocks are seen as attractive based on upcoming catalysts, clinical results, and current market valuations [2].
1. Kymera Therapeutics (NASDAQ:KYMR)
- Barclays initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $60 price target, highlighting promising early clinical data for KT-621, a STAT6 degrader under development for I&I indications [2].
- The company reported $11.5 million in revenue for Q2 2025, with a loss per share of $0.95, falling short of analyst estimates [2].
2. Janux Therapeutics (NASDAQ:JANX)
- Barclays gave JANX an Overweight rating with a $47 price target, citing encouraging clinical data in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) [2].
- The company recently announced the departure of its Chief Strategy Officer and received Buy ratings from several firms [2].
3. Arvinas (NASDAQ:ARVN)
- Barclays initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $16 price target, emphasizing the importance of target selection for protein degradation platforms and seeing potential in Arvinas’ early-stage oncology and neurology programs [2].
4. C4 Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CCCC)
- The company is developing small-molecule protein degraders for various cancers, with its lead asset, cemsidomide, showing encouraging early Phase 1 data [2].
- Cemsidomide could become best-in-class in a category where first-generation degrader Revlimid achieved peak sales of $12.9 billion [2].
5. CytomX Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CTMX)
- Barclays started coverage with an Overweight rating and a $3.50 price target, citing a favorable risk-reward profile for its lead program, CX-2051 [2].
- The company reported revenue declines and an earnings miss for Q2 2025, along with a safety update noting a Grade 5 treatment-related adverse event in one patient [2].
References
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-28/genmab-is-said-in-talks-to-buy-cancer-drugmaker-merus
[2] https://investorshub.advfn.com/market-news/article/16906/top-5-oncology-stocks-to-watch-barclays
MRUS--
Genmab is in advanced talks to acquire Dutch drugmaker Merus, which is developing a treatment for cancer of the head and neck. Merus has received takeover offers from large drug companies and could announce a deal within days. If Genmab prevails, it would be its largest deal ever, and Merus' experimental drug petosemtamab is expected to become a blockbuster, reaching over $1 billion in sales by 2030.
Denmark’s Genmab A/S is in advanced negotiations to acquire Merus NV, a Dutch drugmaker specializing in cancer treatments. According to sources with knowledge of the matter, Merus has received takeover offers from several large pharmaceutical companies and could announce a deal within days [1].Merus, based in Utrecht, Netherlands, is listed on the Nasdaq and has a market capitalization of approximately $5.2 billion. If the acquisition goes through, it would represent Genmab's largest deal ever, given Genmab's market value of roughly 118 billion kroner ($18.5 billion) [1].
Merus' shares have surged since the company announced in May that its experimental drug, petosemtamab, showed greater efficacy than the current standard of care in shrinking tumors in head-and-neck cancer patients when used in combination with Keytruda [1]. The drug is expected to become a blockbuster, potentially reaching more than $1 billion in sales by 2030, according to Bloomberg Intelligence [1]. Additionally, Merus is testing petosemtamab's efficacy in treating advanced forms of colon cancer, a larger and potentially more lucrative market than the one for head-and-neck cancer.
Smaller competitor Bicara Therapeutics is also developing a treatment for the same condition but is further behind Merus in terms of progress [1].
Top Oncology Stocks to Watch
Barclays has identified several standout opportunities in the Oncology and Inflammation & Immunology (I&I) space, highlighting companies advancing innovative protein degradation platforms and targeted therapies. These stocks are seen as attractive based on upcoming catalysts, clinical results, and current market valuations [2].
1. Kymera Therapeutics (NASDAQ:KYMR)
- Barclays initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $60 price target, highlighting promising early clinical data for KT-621, a STAT6 degrader under development for I&I indications [2].
- The company reported $11.5 million in revenue for Q2 2025, with a loss per share of $0.95, falling short of analyst estimates [2].
2. Janux Therapeutics (NASDAQ:JANX)
- Barclays gave JANX an Overweight rating with a $47 price target, citing encouraging clinical data in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) [2].
- The company recently announced the departure of its Chief Strategy Officer and received Buy ratings from several firms [2].
3. Arvinas (NASDAQ:ARVN)
- Barclays initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $16 price target, emphasizing the importance of target selection for protein degradation platforms and seeing potential in Arvinas’ early-stage oncology and neurology programs [2].
4. C4 Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CCCC)
- The company is developing small-molecule protein degraders for various cancers, with its lead asset, cemsidomide, showing encouraging early Phase 1 data [2].
- Cemsidomide could become best-in-class in a category where first-generation degrader Revlimid achieved peak sales of $12.9 billion [2].
5. CytomX Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CTMX)
- Barclays started coverage with an Overweight rating and a $3.50 price target, citing a favorable risk-reward profile for its lead program, CX-2051 [2].
- The company reported revenue declines and an earnings miss for Q2 2025, along with a safety update noting a Grade 5 treatment-related adverse event in one patient [2].
References
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-28/genmab-is-said-in-talks-to-buy-cancer-drugmaker-merus
[2] https://investorshub.advfn.com/market-news/article/16906/top-5-oncology-stocks-to-watch-barclays
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