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AstraZeneca In Buy Now, Pay In Full Later Deal For Majority Acerta Stake

 
• By Sukaina Virji

In a move which AstraZeneca PLC says "completes its transformation in oncology," it is acquiring a 55% stake in privately held Dutch biotech Acerta Pharma BV for $4bn, made up of $2.5bn now and $1.5bn later. The deal also includes an option to acquire the remainder of the company for a further $3bn.

In a move which AstraZeneca PLC says "completes its transformation in oncology," it is acquiring a 55% stake in privately held Dutch biotech Acerta Pharma BV for $4bn, made up of $2.5bn now and $1.5bn later. The deal also includes an option to acquire the remainder of the company for a further $3bn.

Acerta has a "potentially best-in-class Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi)" in Phase III trials for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The oral product – acalabrutinib – is being positioned as a direct challenger to AbbVie's Imbruvica (ibrutinib)

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