The biotech industry has apparently witnessed a slew of M&As in recent times, as is quite evident from the recent deal inked by Sanofi. As per sources, renowned French pharma company Sanofi S.A. has decided to purchase Ablynx, a biopharmaceutical organization involved in the production of nanobodies, for a valuation of USD 4.8 billion. Reliable reports confirm that this is the second such agreement of the firm in this month post its purchase of Bioverativ for USD 11.6 billion. It has been learnt that Ablynx had earlier declined a 2.6-billion-euro acquisition offer made by Novo Nordisk, a Denmark based pharmaceutical firm. However, as per the key officials of Novo, the firm had decided not to make any counter offer to the former, that is now producing a new drug for treating a rare blood ailment.
Experts have been predicting the global trend of mergers & acquisitions across biotech industry to continue with full gusto this year. Earlier this month, the American firm Celgene Corporation took over Juno Therapeutics for USD 9 billion. As per the terms & conditions of the acquisition deal taking place between Sanofi and Ablynx, the former will pay 45 euros per share to the latter, a premium of nearly 21% above the closing share price of Ablynx on Friday. Business analysts have claimed that these agreements are the outcomes of these firms wanting to expand their product line through the exploration of new promising drugs being developed by small drug manufacturers.
According to Sanofi’s CEO, the recent acquisitions have supported its late-stage product pipeline and improved its drug lineup for treating a rare type of blood disorder. Experts believe that through the recent buyout of Ablynx, Sanofi can avail the medicine Caplacizumab, which is used to treat a rare kind of bleeding disorder referred as TTP (Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura), thereby adding to its drug portfolio. They further claim that the pharma giant will also be benefitted from the acquisition of some of the other medicines such as the infant anti-viral treating drug manufactured by Ablynx.