Allergan and clinical-stage biotechnology company Vitae Pharmaceuticals have announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Allergan will acquire Vitae for $21.00 per share, in cash, for a total transaction value of approximately $639 million. The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction.
The acquisition will add to Allergan’s dermatology product pipeline with:
- VTP-43742, a Phase 2 orally active RORγt (retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma) inhibitor for the potential treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders. VTP-43742 inhibits IL-17 activity; has been observed to inhibit RORγt activity in preclinical studies; and is highly selective versus other ROR isotypes—it may provide a treatment that could be administered as a once-daily oral dose. The compound recently completed a Phase 2 proof-of-concept multiple ascending dose trial in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.
- VTP-38543, a topical LXRβ (Liver X Receptor beta) selective agonist for the potential treatment of atopic dermatitis. It is believed to work by decreasing inflammation in damaged skin tissue and repairing skin’s damaged outer layer. VTP-38543 is currently in a Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial assessing the safety, tolerability and efficacy in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.
“The acquisition of Vitae is a strategic investment for Allergan that adds strength and depth to our innovative medical dermatology franchise,” said Brent Saunders, CEO and president of Allergan. “Vitae has pioneered the discovery and development of highly differentiated first-in-class compounds in atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and autoimmune diseases, areas of medicine where innovation is needed for patients.”
“Both the VTP-43742 and VTP-38543 programs offer the potential for highly differentiated mechanisms of action for the treatment of dermatologic conditions where patients are underserved by currently approved treatments,” said David Nicholson, chief research & development officer at Allergan. “In addition, Vitae’s novel Contour drug discovery platform and its team, which have been instrumental in the discovery of novel ‘difficult to drug’ compounds, will be highly complementary to Allergan’s existing R&D discovery efforts in key therapeutic areas.”
Under the terms of the merger agreement, a subsidiary of Allergan will commence a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Vitae common stock for $21.00 per share. The closing of the tender offer is subject to customary closing conditions, including U.S. antitrust clearance and the tender of a majority of the outstanding shares of Vitae common stock. The merger agreement contemplates that Allergan will acquire any shares of Vitae that are not tendered into the offer through a second-step merger, which will be completed promptly following the closing of the tender offer. Pending approvals, Allergan anticipates closing the transaction by the end of 2016.
