UCB has announced that it has acquired Ra Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company.
Ra Pharmaceuticals lead product is zilucoplan, which is indifferent phases for different indications.
Different phases and the indications of the product are
Phase III: Myasthenia gravis
Phase II: Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy; Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Phase I: Haemolytic uraemic syndrome; Lupus nephritis
UCB believes that along with rozanolixizumab, UCB’s FcRn targeting antibody, the company is hoping to play a vital role in the space of myasthenia gravis.
Ra Pharmaceuticals is a US-based company with a research and development unit in Cambridge, MA. UCB is also expecting it to have better access to the Boston area with this acquisition.
The transaction is worth $2.3 billion, and UCB is paying 48 in cash per Ra Pharma share.
“In the last 15 months, we made several significant steps on UCB’s strategic growth path, namely the “Accelerate and Expand” phase. This acquisition is a key part of this progress and an excellent strategic fit with UCB’s strategy,” said Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO UCB.
The company is expecting the acquisition to help from 2024.