Merck & Co. is in talks to acquire Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc., a maker of antibiotics, in a deal valued at more than $7 billion, a person familiar with the matter said.
Merck would pay about $100 a share, and an agreement could be announced as early as this week, the person said yesterday. An offer in that range would represent a 34 percent premium over Cubist’s closing share price on Dec. 5.
