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Biogen to acquire HI-Bio for up to $1.8 billion

Published 2024-05-22, 12:50 p/m
BIIB
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio™), a clinical-stage biotech company, for $1.15 billion upfront, with an additional $650 million in potential milestone payments. This acquisition, anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2024, is set to enhance Biogen's portfolio in immunology and rare diseases.

HI-Bio's lead asset, felzartamab, is an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody with Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) and Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the U.S. FDA for primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) treatment and ODD for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in kidney transplant recipients. Felzartamab has shown promise in Phase 2 studies for PMN, AMR, and IgA nephropathy (IgAN), with plans to progress to Phase 3 trials.

Dr. Priya Singhal, Head of Development at Biogen, stated that felzartamab's impact on key biomarkers and clinical endpoints in renal diseases makes it a strategic addition to their portfolio. The acquisition will not affect Biogen's 2024 financial guidance, and the company plans to finance the purchase with cash on hand and potentially through its revolving credit agreement.

HI-Bio CEO, Dr. Travis Murdoch, expressed enthusiasm for joining forces with Biogen to expedite the development of new therapies for severe immune-mediated diseases. Biogen aims to retain HI-Bio's expertise and establish a team in the San Francisco Bay Area to expand its efforts in immune-mediated diseases.

Felzartamab, initially developed by MorphoSys AG for multiple myeloma, has been licensed by HI-Bio for development and commercialization in all indications except China. The antibody is designed to deplete CD38+ cells, which are implicated in various immune-mediated diseases.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Legal advisory for Biogen was provided by Covington & Burling LLP, while Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. served as financial advisors, and Goodwin Procter LLP as legal advisor to HI-Bio.

This article is based on a press release statement.

InvestingPro Insights

As Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) announces its strategic acquisition of Human Immunology Biosciences, investors are keenly observing the company's financial health and market position. With a robust market capitalization of $33.15 billion and a forward-looking P/E ratio of 19.92, Biogen stands as a prominent player in the biotechnology industry. The company's financial resilience is further underscored by its liquid assets, which comfortably exceed its short-term obligations, reflecting a stable financial footing as it undertakes significant investments like the HI-Bio acquisition.

An InvestingPro Tip notes that Biogen's stock generally trades with low price volatility, suggesting that investors may find a degree of stability despite the inherent risks of the biotech sector. Additionally, the company's stock price often moves counter to market trends, which could provide a diversification benefit to shareholders' portfolios. For those looking deeper into the company's prospects, Biogen has 8 additional InvestingPro Tips available, offering comprehensive insights into the stock's future performance and market behavior.

InvestingPro Data reveals that Biogen has experienced a strong return over the last month, with a 17.3% price total return, showcasing the company's recent market momentum. This performance is particularly noteworthy as Biogen navigates through a period marked by a -4.37% revenue growth in the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, highlighting the company's ability to maintain investor confidence during challenging times. Furthermore, the company's solid gross profit margin of 75.49% indicates efficient operations and the potential for sustained profitability.

For investors seeking to leverage these insights and more, InvestingPro offers a wealth of additional tips and metrics. By using the coupon code PRONEWS24, readers can receive an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, gaining access to valuable investment tools and analyses that could shape their investment decisions in the dynamic biotech landscape.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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