Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
Alexion paid ~$855M for a Wilson disease drug that AstraZeneca (its eventual acquirer) killed in 2023 and then gave away for a $4M upfront in 2024 — a near-total writeoff.
Full analysis, sources & comparables →Characterized the $855M takeover as a logical bolt-on for Alexion's metabolic and neurologic rare-disease focus, while noting investor skepticism about…
Piper Jaffray said the acquisition 'makes a lot of sense,' citing significant unmet need in Wilson disease despite two approved but marginally effective…
Reported AstraZeneca's decision to drop ALXN1840 after FDA discussions, retroactively casting Alexion's $855M Wilson Therapeutics buy as a value-destructive…
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Alexion announced April 11, 2018 cash tender offer for Stockholm-based Wilson Therapeutics at SEK 232/share, total equity value ~$855M. Adds Phase 3 WTX101, a first-in-class copper-binding agent for Wilson disease, an inherited copper metabolism disorder. Strategic fit with Alexion's metabolic and neurologic rare disease focus to rebuild clinical pipeline post-Soliris dependence.
Alexion paid ~$855M for a Wilson disease drug that AstraZeneca (its eventual acquirer) killed in 2023 and then gave away for a $4M upfront in 2024 — a near-total writeoff.
Assessment window: 5yr post-close.
| Deal | Year | Value | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. / Wilson Therapeutics AB (this deal) | 2018 | $855M | 20 |
| Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. / Synageva BioPharma | 2015 | $8.4B | 36 |
| Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. / Syntimmune, Inc. | 2018 | $1.2B | 14 |
| Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. / Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 2020 | $1.4B | — |
| Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. / Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 2019 | $1.2B | — |
| Shire plc / Dyax Corp. | 2016 | $5.9B | 89 |
| Horizon Pharma plc / Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc. | 2015 | $1.1B | 79 |
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More: 2018 deals · Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. deals · Rare Disease deals