Pharma & Biotech Mergers & Acquisitions News
Pharmaceutical
Big pharmas are not deterred by China’s increasingly complex business environment. Instead, they are changing strategies to minimize risks while continuing to benefit from China, said speakers at ChinaTrials held last week in Shanghai. 18 November 2024
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Pharmaceutical
Mid-size Japanese drugmaker Asahi Kasei Pharma says it has acquired its US licensee Artisan Pharma, establishing it as a wholly-owned subsidiary. As part of this acquisition, Artisan has changed its name to Asahi Kasei Pharma America (AKP America). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 24 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
Global pharma behemoth Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) says it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire California, USA-based Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel drugs for the treatment of skin fibrosis, more commonly referred to as skin scarring. The acquisition is expected to close before the end of the year. 23 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
Belgian drugmaker UCB (Euronext Brussels: UCB) has acquired the key pharmaceutical assets of closely-held, UK based drug developer Lectus Therapeutics via a licence and acquisition agreement. 23 November 2011
Biotechnology
In its biggest M&D deal to date, Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD) says it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire fellow USA-biotech company Pharmasset (Nasdaq: VRUS) for around $11 billion, or $137 per share, in cash. The transaction has been unanimously approved by Pharmasset's board of directors. 22 November 2011
Biotechnology
Acquisitive Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (NYSE: VRX and TSX: VRX) has signed an agreement to buy Australia-based iNova, a privately-held biotechnology company, from current owners, private equity firms Archer Capital and Ironbridge and other minority management shareholders. 22 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
The recent moves by India's government to control the prices of all 348 essential drugs ' accounting for some 60% of the domestic market - will push the pharmaceutical sector into a semi-recession, according to global drugs behemoth Pfizer (NYSE: PFE: The Pharma Letter November 3). 20 November 2011
Generics
Indian drugmaker Lupin (LOPN: BO) has entered into an agreement with Japanese health care provider I'rom Holdings (IH) to acquire up to 100% of the outstanding shares of its subsidiary I'rom Pharmaceutical. The transaction, financial terms of which are not being disclosed, is being handled via Lupin's Japanese subsidiary Kyowa Pharmaceuticals, which it acquired in 2007, and is aimed at providing entry into Japan's injectable generics market. 18 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
Italy's leading independent drugmaker Menarini says it has acquired the Singapore-based Invida Group, significantly expanding its presence in the markets of Singapore, Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed. 16 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
Swiss drugmaker Galenica (SIX: GALN) has acquired all the outstanding shares of Vifor Uriach Pharma SL, a joint venture with its Spanish partner Grupo Uriach established in 2009, as well as Grupo Uriach's primary care business. Financial terms of the transaction, which became effective November 14, have not been disclosed. 15 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
UK specialty drugmaker Sinclair IS Pharma (AIM: SPH.L) says it has disposed of the epilepsy drug Mysoline (primidone), for a total cash consideration of 11.1 million ($17.8 million) to Laboratoires SERB SAS, the current distributor of the product in France. The disposal is in-line with the board's strategy to dispose of non-strategic assets in order to focus on the company's core portfolio of dermatology, wound care and hospital supportive care products. Completion will take place within seven days. 15 November 2011
Biotechnology
Regenerative medicines firm Athersys (Nasdaq: ATHX) says that Canada's Angiotech Pharmaceuticals (TSX: ANP) has pulled out of its co-development of cell therapy in the cardiovascular field. As a result of the mutual termination, Athersys says it has regained all rights in its MultiStem cardiovascular program, allowing it greater flexibility in clinical development and the opportunity to pursue new business collaborations. 15 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
Singapore-headquartered Invida Holdings, a leading specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization of health care brands throughout Asia Pacific, has acquired a brand portfolio from India-based Shalaks Pharmaceuticals. Financial terms of the accord were disclosed. Upon acquisition of the product portfolio from Shalaks, Invida will market the products under the Invida brand. 14 November 2011
Generics
German drugmaker STADA Arzneimittel (SAZ: GR) has reached agreement with Switzerland's Spirig Pharma to purchase Spirig's generics business including the respective sales structures by STADA for a total of around 97 million Swiss francs ($109.2 million). 11 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
In a short time much can change in Japan. A striking example is the move by Japanese pharmaceutical companies to acquire assets outside Japan. Not too long ago Western observers considered local companies as very provincial, protected and strong in Japan but non-competitors in the rest of the world. Today, four Japanese firms realize over 50% of their revenue outside Japan. 10 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
With the aim of improving its innovate products franchise, US drugmaker Salix Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SLXP) has entered into an agreement to acquire privately-held Oceana Therapeutics, a global provider of gastroenterology and urology therapeutics, for $300 million in cash. The transaction is subject to customary conditions to closing, including US anti-trust approval, and is expected to close in December 2011. 9 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
The planned $21.3 billion acquisition of orthopedic device maker Synthes (SYST: VX), which is listed in Switzerland but operates out of the USA, by US health care giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is likely to face antitrust delays in Europe (The Pharma Letter April 27), as the European Commission announced last Friday that it has opened an in-depth investigation under the European Union Merger Regulation into the deal. 6 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
French drugmaker Ipsen (Euronext: IPN) today has sold its North American development and marketing rights for Apokyn (apomorphine) indicated in the USA for the acute, intermittent treatment of hypomobility 'off' episodes associated with advanced Parkinson's disease to UK-based Britannia Pharmaceuticals, now part of Germany's STADA Arzneimittel. 3 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
USA-based SurModics (Nasdaq: SRDX), a provider of surface modification technologies to the healthcare industry, has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its SurModics Pharmaceuticals assets to privately-held German specialty chemicals group Evonik Industries for $30 million in cash. 2 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
French drug major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) is expected to take the top spot amongst the world's pharmaceuticals manufacturers in 2012 and hold it through 2016, according to a new report by life sciences analyst EvaluatePharma. 1 November 2011
Pharmaceutical
ViroPharma to acquire DuoCort Pharma for up to $164 million, adding European orphan drug to pipeline
The USA's ViroPharma (Nasdaq: VPHM) says it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire DuoCort Pharma AB, a private company based in Helsingborg, Sweden, focused on improving glucocorticoid replacement therapy. The acquisition of DuoCort will further expand ViroPharma's orphan disease commercial product pipeline. 28 October 2011
Pharmaceutical
Swiss pharma giant Novartis today announced an upgrade to its mid-term guidance, in advance of its Meet Novartis Management event for investors and analysts in London. 21 November 2024
Biotechnology
Aizen Therapeutics, an AI-driven biotech headquartered in San Diego, has officially launched from stealth mode, introducing its drug discovery platform, DaX. 21 November 2024
Biotechnology
Massachusetts, USA-based firm VBI Vaccines has initiated a nationwide voluntary recall of PreHevbrio (hepatitis B vaccine), as it proceeds with bankruptcy and the shutdown of its operations. 19 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
Big pharmas are not deterred by China’s increasingly complex business environment. Instead, they are changing strategies to minimize risks while continuing to benefit from China, said speakers at ChinaTrials held last week in Shanghai. 18 November 2024
Biotechnology
Last week saw US pharma major AbbVie release disappointing Phase II trial results on its emraclidine in schizophrenia, which benefited Bristol Myers Squibb. Also on the research front, Germany’s Merck KGaA and Abbisko’s pimicotinib showed positive results in tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT). M&A news saw German BioNTech punting $800 million upfront to acquire China based oncology focused Biotheus. Also of note, US drugmaker Halozyme Therapeutics made an unsolicited takeover bid for Evotec, valuing the German firm, at around 2 billion euros. 17 November 2024
Biosimilars
South Korean biosimilars company Celltrion today announced its acquisition of iQone Healthcare Switzerland a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on distribution, sales, and marketing in Switzerland. 15 November 2024
Biotechnology
Shares of German drug discovery company Evotec leapt 20% to 10.33 euros this morning on the revelation that the USA’s Halozyme Therapeutics has submitted a non-binding proposal to acquire Evotec for 11.00 euros per share in cash, implying a fully-diluted equity value of around 2.0 billion euros ($2.12 billion). 15 November 2024
Biotechnology
BeiGene has announced plans to rebrand as BeOne Medicines, a move the cancer specialist says reflects its commitment to fighting cancer through collaboration. 15 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
Life science investor Syncona has announced the launch of its newest portfolio company, Slingshot Therapeutics, through the Syncona Accelerator initiative. 14 November 2024
Biotechnology
Although it is seeing a downturn in sales and profits, German biotech BioNTech is continuing to acquire assets with the cash pile it made through the covid pandemic, notably iis Comirnaty vaccine that was developed with Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). 13 November 2024
Biotechnology
Trace Neuroscience, a newly launched biopharma based in San Francisco, aims to advance treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, starting with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 12 November 2024
Biotechnology
AlloVir has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with biopharma company Kalaris Therapeutics. 8 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
European regulators will decide by December 6 whether Novo Holdings, the controlling shareholder of Danish pharma giant Novo Nordisk, can finalize its $16.5 billion acquisition of contract drug manufacturer Catalent. 5 November 2024
Biotechnology
California, USA-based biotech Nektar Therapeutics’ shares closed up more than 8% at $1.33 yesterday after it announced the sale of its only manufacturing facility. 5 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical M&A came back with a bang during October, after a quiet September. 5 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
US pharma major AbbVie last week proposed $1.4 billion acquisition of US CNS drug developer Aliada Therapeutics. Last week saw a bunch of third quarter 2024 financials results, among which were Elil Lilly, AbbVie and Merck & Co. Also of note, Lexicon’s type I diabetes drug Zynquista faced a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee review that resulted in largely negative vote against recommendation. 3 November 2024
Biotechnology
Maryland, USA–based glycobiology specialist GlycoMimetics has entered into an acquisition agreement with Crescent Biopharma, a privately held biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of oncology therapeutics designed to treat solid tumors. 30 October 2024
Biotechnology
German drugmaker Dr Falk Pharma GmbH today announced completion of the acquisition of Kynos Therapeutics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of novel KMO inhibitors for acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. 29 October 2024
Biotechnology
US Pharma major AbbVie has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Aliada Therapeutics, a biotech advancing therapies using a novel blood-brain barrier (BBB)-crossing technology to address challenging central nervous system (CNS) diseases. 29 October 2024
Biotechnology
Ottimo Pharma, a biotech founded by Medicxi in 2020, has emerged from stealth mode with an executive team packed with prominent industry leaders. 28 October 2024
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