UK pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca has agreed a $39 billion cash-and-equity buy-out offer with shareholders in US speciality treatments firm Alexion - maker of the world's most expensive drug.
The British firm, currently struggling to get its coronavirus vaccine approved, will pay $60 in cash and about $115 worth of its shares for each Alexion share either in London-traded ordinary shares or in dollar-denominated American Depositary Shares.
That would work out to about $175 per Alexion share, almost 50 percent above the $121 market price at the close of business on Friday. AstraZeneca said both firms' boards had approved the deal.
"This acquisition allows us to enhance our presence in immunology", AstraZeneca Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said in a statement. "Alexion has established itself as a leader in complement biology, bringing life-changing benefits to patients with rare diseases."
At almost £400,000 (€430,000) per year per patient, Soliris is reported to be the world's most expensive drug - despite insufficient clinical evidence to show it improves life expectancy in PNH patients.
Alexion's share price has fallen gradually over the last five years as the firm has failed to come up with new product lines to follow Soliris.
Hedge fund Elliott Management publicly urged Alexion to sell out a day before the drug company's annual shareholders' meeting in May. Elliott had already raised concerns over Alexion CEO Ludwig Hantson’s management in private meetings before then.