Cancer diagnostics company Personalis (PSNL) explores a sale. The company received takeover interest from Merck (MRK) and at least two other bidders. Personalis hired bankers and legal counsel to evaluate its options.
Personalis's stock price rose in premarket trading.
Merck is a significant stakeholder and key customer for Personalis. Merck holds over 10% of the company. It accounted for 19% of Personalis's revenue in the first quarter of 2026.
The companies collaborate on individualized cancer therapies. Merck made a $50 million investment in Personalis in late 2024. The potential acquisition aligns with Merck's strategic focus on precision oncology.