Pharma BD Deal Intelligence

Allergan plc / Naurex, Inc.

2015 · Acquisition/Merger · $560M · Complete

CALLED IT — OFF BY 15

Total loss: rapastinel flopped in Phase 3 in 2019, triggering a $2.47B goodwill impairment against a ~$0.6B upfront purchase — one of the clearest value-destroying CNS bets of the decade.

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The coverage arc

Jul 26, 2015 Allergan (PR Newswire) Bullish

CEO Saunders: 'The acquisition of Naurex is a great fit for Allergan and a compelling and exciting investment. We expect Naurex will enhance Allergan's mental…

Mar 06, 2019 BioPharma Dive Bearish

Rapastinel failed three Phase 3 acute studies vs placebo; CEO Saunders 'deeply disappointed.' Credit Suisse: 'Another pipeline failure will increase investor…

Mar 07, 2019 FierceBiotech Bearish

Allergan's NMDA drug rapastinel flops in Phase 3 depression studies. R&D chief Nicholson: 'We are deeply disappointed with these results' — the lead asset from…

Source summaries from our enrichment pipeline; follow links for originals.

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Allergan acquired Naurex for $560M upfront net of cash plus undisclosed R&D and sales-threshold milestones, gaining rapastinel and NRX-1074, novel NMDA modulators for depression. Closed August 31, 2015. Rapastinel later failed Phase 3 in 2019.

Did it work? Outcome assessment

Total loss: rapastinel flopped in Phase 3 in 2019, triggering a $2.47B goodwill impairment against a ~$0.6B upfront purchase — one of the clearest value-destroying CNS bets of the decade.

Strategic verdict
Failed to Achieve

Key facts

Related deals — scored

DealYearValueOutcome
Allergan plc / Naurex, Inc. (this deal)2015$560M14
Allergan plc / Merck & Co., Inc. (CGRP receptor antagonist program)2015$250M91
Allergan plc / SkinMedica, Inc.2012$375M55
Allergan plc / Inamed Corporation2005$3.2B50
Allergan plc / Oculeve, Inc.2015$250M33
Allergan plc / Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.2017$2.5B32
Allergan plc / Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.2015$2.1B23

Compare all 7 side-by-side →

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