In a bid to bolster its haematology portfolio, Merck & Co. has agreed to purchase Imago BioSciences for US$36 per share in cash, representing an approximate total equity value of US$1.35 B. Through the deal, Merck picks up access to Imago’s Phase II lead asset, bomedemstat, which inhibits lysine-specific demethylase 1, an enzyme that is thought to play a key role in bone marrow cell production. The deal follows a string of acquisitions announced by Merck, as it prepares for the impending patent cliff of its blockbuster cancer drug, Keytruda® (pembrolizumab).