Three Large Biotech Transactions Announced

Three Large Biotech Transactions Announced

by | Jan 8, 2024 10:19 am | Biotechnology | 0 comments

On Monday, January 8, there was a flurry of activity in the Biotechnology sector. Three large, publicly-traded companies announced acquisitions in the space, representing the third, fourth and fifth Biotechnology transaction of 2024, respectively. Last year, there were 155 Biotechnology deals announced, according to data captured in the LevinPro HC database. Merck acquires Harpoon Therapeutics: Merck announced the acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics through a subsidiary for an approximate total equity value of $680 million.  Harpoon Therapeutics is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a novel class of T-cell engagers designed to harness the power of the body’s immune... Read More »
GSK Divests Two Travel Vaccines

GSK Divests Two Travel Vaccines

by | Oct 28, 2019 2:17 pm | Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals | 0 comments

GlaxoSmithKline plc (NYSE: GSK) announced recently it is selling two travel vaccines to Bavarian Nordic for $334.7 million upfront, plus a potential $1.06 billion in milestone payments. The sale included rabies vaccine Rabipur (tradename Rabavert in the United States) and Encepur, for the prevention of tick-borne encephalitis. GSK obtained the vaccines as part of a 2015 deal with Novartis (NYSE: NVS). GSK divested its oncology business to Novartis for $300 million and gained the vaccines in return. According to the company’s annual report, GSK generated $7.58 billion from its vaccine segment in 2018. Both vaccines will continue to be manufactured primarily at GSK’s Marburg site in... Read More »
Xiidra, Dry Eye Treatment Drug, Acquired by Novartis

Xiidra, Dry Eye Treatment Drug, Acquired by Novartis

by | May 10, 2019 4:07 pm | Pharmaceuticals | 0 comments

The global pharmaceutical giant Novartis (NYSE: NVS) bought the assets to Xiidra 5% solution from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company (NYSE: TAK). The announcement gives us the largest pharmaceutical deal of the year so far, with Novartis paying $3.4 billion upfront and $1.9 billion in potential milestones for the drug. In 2018, Xiidra generated revenue of $400 million. Xiidra is the first and only prescription treatment approved for both signs and symptoms of dry eye by inhibiting inflammation caused by the disease. This acquisition fits strategically within Novartis’ ophthalmic pharmaceutical portfolio, laying the groundwork for front-of-the-eye pipeline products currently in... Read More »