We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Why Alexion is a Hot Takeover Target in the Biotech Sector
Read MoreHide Full Article
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has been in the spotlight as a potential takeover target from the onset of 2019, after the mega-merger announcement of Bristol-Myers (BMY - Free Report) and Celgene .
Notably, a slowdown in mature products due to the increasing competition and rise of biosimilars have forced most pharma/biotech behemoths to target lucrative buyouts in this space to bolster their pipelines. Evidently, the focus is back on mergers and acquisitions. The recent spree of consolidations is expected to continue with both big and small biotech stocks, which have a dominant position in the lesser competitive arena of rare diseases and NASH and are well-equipped with path-breaking technology, respectively.
Here we look at the factors, which make Alexion a hot target for a takeover.
Alexion primarily focuses on developing and commercializing drugs for the treatment of patients with ultra-rare disorders. The market potential of these drugs is significant, with less competitive pressure. The company's blockbuster drug, Soliris (approved for the treatment of two severe and ultra-rare disorders — paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria [PNH] and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome [aHUS]), continues to perform well. The FDA approval of the generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) indication has boosted the drug’s prospects further.
Additionally, to combat generic competition for Soliris, once it loses patent protection, Alexion developed a long-acting C5 complement inhibitor, Ultomiris, for the treatment of adults with PNH, which consolidated its PNH franchise. The initial uptake of the drug has been strong. The company is working to expand the drug’s label into various other indications.
Concurrently, Alexion is looking to strengthen its pipeline with acquisitions and collaborations. It acquired Sweden-based Wilson Therapeutics and added a late-stage candidate, ALXN1840, to its pipeline. It also acquired a clinical-stage biotechnology company, Syntimmune. The company has also collaborated with Dicerna Pharmaceuticals to jointly discover and develop up to four subcutaneously-delivered GalXC RNA interference (RNAi) candidates. Additionally, it entered a partnership with Complement Pharma to co-develop the preclinical C6 complement inhibitor, CP010, for neurodegenerative disorders.
Notably, the company was recently in news on the speculations of a potential buyout by biotech bigwig Amgen (AMGN - Free Report) . However, Amgen decided to purchase Celgene’s plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis drug Otezla, thereby quashing the rumors of acquiring Alexion. Consequently, Alexion’s stock declined.
The company recently announced the departure of its current chief financial officer, Paul Clancy, later this year. Clancy will be succeeded by Aradhana Sarin, M.D., who is currently the chief strategy and business officer of the company. The stock most likely declined due to uncertainties regarding this transition.
Nevertheless, with a strong portfolio of rare diseases drugs and a solid pipeline, Alexion is a potential target for big pharma companies looking to foray into the rare diseases market.
Wall Street’s Next Amazon
Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.
Image: Bigstock
Why Alexion is a Hot Takeover Target in the Biotech Sector
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has been in the spotlight as a potential takeover target from the onset of 2019, after the mega-merger announcement of Bristol-Myers (BMY - Free Report) and Celgene .
Notably, a slowdown in mature products due to the increasing competition and rise of biosimilars have forced most pharma/biotech behemoths to target lucrative buyouts in this space to bolster their pipelines. Evidently, the focus is back on mergers and acquisitions. The recent spree of consolidations is expected to continue with both big and small biotech stocks, which have a dominant position in the lesser competitive arena of rare diseases and NASH and are well-equipped with path-breaking technology, respectively.
Here we look at the factors, which make Alexion a hot target for a takeover.
Alexion primarily focuses on developing and commercializing drugs for the treatment of patients with ultra-rare disorders. The market potential of these drugs is significant, with less competitive pressure. The company's blockbuster drug, Soliris (approved for the treatment of two severe and ultra-rare disorders — paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria [PNH] and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome [aHUS]), continues to perform well. The FDA approval of the generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) indication has boosted the drug’s prospects further.
Additionally, to combat generic competition for Soliris, once it loses patent protection, Alexion developed a long-acting C5 complement inhibitor, Ultomiris, for the treatment of adults with PNH, which consolidated its PNH franchise. The initial uptake of the drug has been strong. The company is working to expand the drug’s label into various other indications.
Concurrently, Alexion is looking to strengthen its pipeline with acquisitions and collaborations. It acquired Sweden-based Wilson Therapeutics and added a late-stage candidate, ALXN1840, to its pipeline. It also acquired a clinical-stage biotechnology company, Syntimmune. The company has also collaborated with Dicerna Pharmaceuticals to jointly discover and develop up to four subcutaneously-delivered GalXC RNA interference (RNAi) candidates. Additionally, it entered a partnership with Complement Pharma to co-develop the preclinical C6 complement inhibitor, CP010, for neurodegenerative disorders.
Notably, the company was recently in news on the speculations of a potential buyout by biotech bigwig Amgen (AMGN - Free Report) . However, Amgen decided to purchase Celgene’s plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis drug Otezla, thereby quashing the rumors of acquiring Alexion. Consequently, Alexion’s stock declined.
The company recently announced the departure of its current chief financial officer, Paul Clancy, later this year. Clancy will be succeeded by Aradhana Sarin, M.D., who is currently the chief strategy and business officer of the company. The stock most likely declined due to uncertainties regarding this transition.
Nevertheless, with a strong portfolio of rare diseases drugs and a solid pipeline, Alexion is a potential target for big pharma companies looking to foray into the rare diseases market.
Wall Street’s Next Amazon
Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.
Click for details >>