Alexion Buys Out Portola, But Analysts Don’t See Value

The acquisition brings Alexion the bleeding reversal agent Andexxa, which execs called a synergistic addition to its portfolio – but analysts are struggling to see the match with Alexion’s chronic rare disease therapies.

SC2005_Time To Diversify_83066380_1200.jpg
Acquiring Portola and Andexxa diversifies Alexion's portfolio, but analysts don't see much growth potential

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. revealed on 5 May that it has agreed to acquire Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc. for about $1.4bn in cash, but analysts don’t see the value in that price or in Portola’s Factor Xa inhibitor reversal drug Andexxa, a product stuck in neutral more than a year past its initial launch.

On a same-day investor call, Alexion executives cited multiple strategies for growing Andexxa (coagulation factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo) and said...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Deals

Skyhawk Flies High With Another Big Pharma, Getting Up To $2bn In Merck KGaA Deal

 
• By 

Deal Snapshot: Skyhawk raised its first seed funding in 2018 and has funded its operations primarily through partnering fees to date, including its latest agreement with Merck KGaA.

Leo Keeps On Profitable Path With Solid H1 Sales Growth

 
• By 

The Danish firm's atopic dermatitis drug Adbry is performing well despite strong competition from Sanofi/Regeneron’s Dupixent.

Deal Watch: Lilly Teams With GPCR-Focused Superluminal In Cardiometabolic Disease

 
• By 

Plus deals involving Basilea/Venatorx, CorMedix/Melinta, SERB/Y-mAbs, XOMA/Lava, XOMA/Hillevax, MaxCyte/Adicet/Anocca and Bausch Health/DURECT.

Asia Deal Watch: Lupin Picks Sandoz To Market Lucentis Biosimilar In Parts Of EU And Asia

Also deals involving Xspray/Handa, Fosun/Expedition, Kaken/Astria, Orchid/Allecra, Sanofi/Visirna, KKR/Healthcare Royalty Partners, Viridian/Kissei, Sandoz/Evotec, Dx&Vx, Dr. Falk/Allianthera, Madrigal/CSPC and Lilly/LTZ.

More from Business

Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things

 
• By 

In this week's episode: a look at the likely top drugs in 2030; Lilly CEO advocates US/Europe pricing rebalance; Insmed sees $5bn-plus market for Brinsupri; royalty deals go mainstream; Phase III win sets stage for Epkinly label expansion.

Finance Watch: Did Mid-Summer Usher In A Mega-Round Comeback?

 
• By 

Private Company Edition: Hatteras Venture Partners now has more than $900m under management. Also, in recent $100m-plus VC rounds, Strand Therapeutics raised a $153m series A, ARTBIO revealed a $132m series B and Minghui Pharmaceutical secured a $131m pre-IPO round.

Tonix Ready To Revive Fibromyalgia Market With Tonyma

 
• By 

The first new drug for fibromyalgia since 2009, Tonyma is a reformulation of cyclobenzaprine intended for chronic therapy. Tonix said the drug targets non-restorative sleep.