UK—AstraZeneca, a science-led biopharmaceutical company, has successfully closed the acquisition of Amolyt Pharma, a company specializing in treatments for rare endocrine diseases.
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, AstraZeneca acquired all of Amolyt Pharma’s outstanding shares for a total consideration of up to US$1.05 billion on a cash and debt-free basis.
This amount includes US$800 million upfront at deal closing, plus the right for Amolyt Pharma’s shareholders to receive an additional contingent payment of US$250 million upon the achievement of a specified regulatory milestone.
Additionally, AstraZeneca will welcome the employees of Amolyt Pharma, further strengthening its workforce.
The acquisition notably strengthens AstraZeneca’s late-stage pipeline within its Alexion rare disease division.
It adds the investigational therapeutic peptide eneboparatide (AZP-3601) to its bone metabolism portfolio.
Eneboparatide is currently in Phase III development for hypoparathyroidism, a rare condition characterized by parathyroid hormone (PTH) deficiency, which results in low calcium and elevated phosphorus levels in the blood.
This condition impacts various tissues and organ systems, particularly the kidneys and bones.
Eneboparatide is a subcutaneous parathyroid hormone receptor 1 agonist designed to treat hypoparathyroidism.
Its therapeutic goals include regulating serum calcium levels, managing hypoparathyroidism symptoms, reducing urine calcium excretion, and potentially preventing kidney function decline and chronic kidney disease.
Moreover, its short plasma half-life may help normalize bone turnover and maintain bone health.
In addition to eneboparatide, another promising candidate in Amolyt’s pipeline is AZP-3813.
This peptide growth hormone receptor antagonist is being developed as a potential addition to somatostatin analogues for treating acromegaly, a condition associated with abnormally high growth hormone secretion.
AstraZeneca’s rare disease portfolio has proven highly profitable, generating US$7.76 billion in global sales in 2023, according to the company’s fourth-quarter financial results.
The acquisition of Amolyt Pharma is expected to further bolster this portfolio and enhance AstraZeneca’s capabilities in developing innovative treatments for rare diseases.
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