Pharma BD Deal Intelligence

Biogen Idec Inc. / Conforma Therapeutics Corporation

2006 · Acquisition/Merger · $250M · Complete

WRONG BY 60 POINTS

A $150M oncology bet that turned into a near-total write-off within one quarter, and both lead assets were dead within a few years as Biogen abandoned oncology altogether

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The coverage arc

May 03, 2006 BioSpace Bullish

The deal — $150M closing plus $100M in milestones — gives Biogen Idec an oncology platform around HSP90 antagonists and integrates Conforma's 40 employees into…

May 04, 2006 BioWorld Bullish

Conforma's VP of corporate development said the $250M buyout grew out of strategic partnership discussions rather than financing necessity — Conforma was…

May 29, 2020 NIH PMC — Update on Hsp90 Inhibitors in Clinical Trial Bearish

Despite roughly two decades of clinical development across multiple sponsors, no HSP90 inhibitor has achieved FDA approval, with hepatic and ocular toxicities…

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

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Oncology HSP90 inhibitors; $150M upfront + up to $100M milestones

Did it work? Outcome assessment

A $150M oncology bet that turned into a near-total write-off within one quarter, and both lead assets were dead within a few years as Biogen abandoned oncology altogether

Strategic verdict
Failed to Achieve

Key facts

Related deals — scored

DealYearValueOutcome
Biogen Idec Inc. / Conforma Therapeutics Corporation (this deal)2006$250M11
Biogen Idec Inc. / Elan Corporation plc (Tysabri rights)2013$3.2B77
Eli Lilly and Company / ICOS Corporation2006$2.3B87
Crucell N.V. / Berna Biotech AG2006$450M85
Lonza Group AG / Cambrex Bioproducts and Biopharma businesses2006$460M83
Reckitt Benckiser plc / Boots Healthcare International2006$3.4B82
Genentech, Inc. (Roche Group) / Tanox Inc.2006$919M80

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