US FDA approves NPS Pharma's Natpara

24 January 2015

The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved NPS Pharmaceuticals’ (Nasdaq: NPSP) Natpara (parathyroid hormone) to control hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels) in patients with hypoparathyroidism, a rare disease that affects about 60,000 people in the USA.

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone, or PTH. Natpara, a bioengineered replica of human PTH, is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2015, said NPS Pharma.

NPS Pharma is the subject of a $5.2 billion ($46.00 per share) agreed takeover by Ireland-headquartered drugmaker Shire’s (LSE: SHP), and the approval of Natpara is seen as validation of the 50% premium that Shire has offered for the company. NPS Pharma’s shares edged up 0.68% to $45.95 in after-hours trading on January 23. Shire’s shares gained 2.2% to £48.16.

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