Assertio Targets Febrile Neutropenia Drug In Spectrum Buyout Deal

 
• By Alaric DeArment

It remains unclear whether Rolvedon will achieve hoped-for sales milestones in a deal that Assertio said was part of a growth strategy emphasizing product and business acquisitions.

Assertio said it would acquire Spectrum Pharmaceuticals for $248m • Source: Shutterstock

Assertio Holdings, Inc. is banking on a recently approved oncology drug from Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. in its move to acquire that company for nearly a quarter of $1bn, while viewing it as a way to boost its portfolio and further a strategy that includes growth through acquisition of products and companies. It also gives a new home to Spectrum, which over the past several years has experienced setbacks and a major reboot. But it remains uncertain whether the new cancer drug Rolvedon (eflapegrastim-xnst) will achieve anticipated near-term sales milestones.

Assertio said 25 April that it would buy Spectrum in an all stock and contingent value rights (CVR) acquisition for...

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