By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : October 01, 2021 2:48 pm
The acquisition complements and strengthens Merck’s cardiovascular pipeline
Merck and Acceleron Pharma announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Acceleron for an approximate value of US $ 11.5 billion.
Merck is eying Acceleron’s lead therapeutic candidate, Sotatercept, which has a novel mechanism of action with the potential to improve short-term and/or long-term clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a progressive and life-threatening blood vessel disorder. Sotatercept is in Phase 3 trials as an add-on to the current standard of care for the treatment of PAH.
“Strategic business development is a top priority for Merck as we look to drive sustainable growth and further bolster and balance our pipeline with breakthrough science,” said Rob Davis, chief executive officer and president, Merck. “Acceleron’s innovative research has yielded an exciting late-stage candidate that complements and strengthens our growing cardiovascular portfolio and pipeline and holds the potential to build upon Merck’s proud legacy in cardiovascular disease.”
In addition to Sotatercept, Acceleron’s portfolio includes Reblozyl (luspatercept-aamt), a first-in-class erythroid maturation recombinant fusion protein approved in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia for the treatment of anaemia in certain rare blood disorders. Reblozyl is being developed and commercialized through global collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb.