Acquisition Complements and Strengthens Merck’s Cardiovascular Pipeline
Sotatercept is a Potentially First-In-Class Therapy in Phase 3 Development for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
REBLOZYL ® (luspatercept-aamt) is a First-In-Class Erythroid Maturation Recombinant Fusion Protein Approved for the Treatment of Anemia in Certain Rare Blood Disorders
Merck referred to as MSD outside the us and Canada, and Acceleron Pharma Inc, a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the businesses have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Acceleron for $180 per share in cash for an approximate total equity value of $11.5 billion.
Acceleron is concentrated on harnessing the facility of the reworking protein (TGF)-beta superfamily of proteins that’s known to play a central role within the regulation of cell growth, differentiation and repair. Acceleron’s lead therapeutic candidate, sotatercept, features a novel mechanism of action with the potential to enhance short-term and/or long-term clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a progressive and life-threatening vessel disorder. Sotatercept is in Phase 3 trials as add-on to current standard of look after the treatment of PAH.
“Strategic business development may be a top priority for Merck as we glance to drive sustainable growth and further bolster and balance our pipeline with breakthrough science,” said Rob Davis, chief military officer and president, Merck. “Acceleron’s innovative research has yielded an exciting late-stage candidate that enhances and strengthens our growing cardiovascular portfolio and pipeline and holds the potential to create upon Merck’s proud legacy in disorder .”
In addition to sotatercept, Acceleron’s portfolio includes REBLOZYL® (luspatercept-aamt), a first-in-class erythroid maturation recombinant fusion protein approved within the us , Europe, Canada and Australia for the treatment of anemia in certain rare blood disorders. REBLOZYL is being developed and commercialized through a worldwide collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb.
“This agreement with Merck represents the culmination of decades of labor by Acceleron researchers successfully leveraging our company’s deep scientific expertise within the biology of the TGF-beta superfamily and driven by an unwavering dedication to delivering life-changing medicines for patients,” said Habib Dable, chief military officer and president, Acceleron. “We believe Merck is well-positioned to use its industry-leading clinical and commercial capabilities to harness the potential of sotatercept as we join together to assist make an impression on cardiopulmonary disease for the advantage of patients.”
Under the terms of the merger agreement , Merck, through a subsidiary, will initiate a young offer to accumulate all outstanding shares of Acceleron. The closing of the offer are going to be subject to certain conditions, including the tender of shares representing a minimum of a majority of the entire number of Acceleron’s outstanding shares, receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, and other customary conditions. Upon the successful completion of the offer , Merck’s acquisition subsidiary are going to be merged into Acceleron, and any remaining shares of common shares of Acceleron are going to be canceled and converted into the proper to receive an equivalent $180 per share price payable within the offer . The transaction is predicted to shut within the fourth quarter of 2021.
About Merck
For over 130 years, Merck, referred to as MSD outside of the us and Canada, has been inventing for all times , bringing forward medicines and vaccines for several of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save lots of and improve lives. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to stop and treat diseases that threaten people and animals – including cancer, infectious diseases like HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases – as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company within the world.
About Acceleron
Acceleron may be a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the invention , development, and commercialization of therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases. Acceleron’s leadership within the understanding of TGF-beta superfamily biology and protein engineering generates innovative compounds that engage the body’s ability to manage cellular growth and repair. Acceleron focuses its research, development, and commercialization efforts in pulmonary and hematologic diseases. In pulmonary, Acceleron is developing sotatercept for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Following positive PULSAR Phase 2 results, Acceleron is executing on its Phase 3 development decide to support its long-term vision of building sotatercept as a backbone key therapy for patients with PAH as an add-on to the present standard of care. Acceleron is additionally expanding the event of sotatercept into Group 2 PH, with the CADENCE Phase 2 trial expected to initiate this year. Acceleron has expanded its rare pulmonary disease pipeline and is investigating the potential of ACE-1334 during a Phase 1b/Phase 2 trial in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD).
In hematology, REBLOZYL (luspatercept-aamt) is that the first and only erythroid maturation agent approved within the us , Europe, Canada and Australia for the treatment of anemia in certain blood disorders. REBLOZYL is a component of a worldwide collaboration partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb. the businesses co-promote REBLOZYL within the us and also are developing luspatercept for the treatment of anemia in patient populations of myelodysplastic syndromes, beta-thalassemia and myelofibrosis.
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