** Shares of drugmaker SpringWorks Therapeutics SWTX.O rise 8.2% to $44.59
** Germany's Merck KGaA MRCG.DE is nearing a roughly $3.5 billion deal for SWTX, the Wall Street Journal reports
** Both companies have agreed on a price close to $47 per share, report says
** Up to last close, SWTX up 14% YTD