The deal, expected to close in the third quarter, centers on Targan’s WingScan solution. This automated platform utilizes specialized vision technology to identify and sort chicks by gender, a process previously reliant on more labor-intensive methods. While the financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, the move represents a deepening of a relationship that began in 2017.

Merck, headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, has served as one of Targan’s largest shareholders for several years prior to this buyout. By integrating the Raleigh-based company's proprietary technology, the drugmaker intends to solidify its presence in the agricultural sector, specifically targeting efficiency gains in large-scale poultry operations.