Novartis, Cytokinetics near merger: report

Novartis
NOVN,
-0.25%
is close to acquiring Cytokinetics Inc.
CYTK,
-20.99%
and its promising heart drug, according to a Wall Street Journal report Monday. A deal for South San Francisco-based Cytokinetics, which has a market value of about $9 billion, could be finalized as soon as this week, according to people familiar with the situation, the Journal reported. The potential price and other terms were not disclosed.