Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
Cephalon Inc. acquired Anesta Corp. in an all-stock merger valued at approximately $444 million. The transaction gave Cephalon the marketed product Actiq (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate) for breakthrough cancer pain, together with an approximately 60-person oncology sales force that broadened Cephalon's commercial reach beyond its CNS franchise (Provigil, Gabitril). Anesta shareholders approved the merger on October 10, 2000.