Pharma BD Deal Intelligence

H. Lundbeck A/S / Alder BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.

2019 · Acquisition/Merger · $1.9B · Complete

Outcome grade pending — assessed 5 years post-close.

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The coverage arc

Sep 16, 2019 BioPharma Dive Bullish

Piper Jaffray analyst Danielle Brill said 'we can't imagine any investor wanted to see Alder launch eptinezumab alone'—signaling relief that Lundbeck's…

Sep 17, 2019 FiercePharma Bullish

FiercePharma reported Alder had been seeking only an ex-US partner; Lundbeck escalated to a full buyout, suggesting strategic conviction in IV CGRP…

Feb 05, 2026 H. Lundbeck A/S (FY2024 results) Bullish

Vyepti (eptinezumab) revenue reached DKK 2,909 million in FY2024 following an increase of +72% at constant exchange rates; total group revenue a record DKK…

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Lundbeck agreed to acquire Alder BioPharmaceuticals for $18.00 per share upfront in cash plus a $2.00 per share CVR tied to FDA approval, totaling up to $1.95B. Lead asset eptinezumab (later approved as Vyepti) is the first IV-administered anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody for migraine prevention. Closed October 2019. Post-close, the thesis has been strongly validated commercially: Vyepti became one of Lundbeck's fastest-growing strategic brands, reaching DKK 2,909M in FY2024 (+72% CER) and DKK 3,254M in the first nine months of 2025 (+57% CER), and was the fastest-growing anti-CGRP in the U.S. at 11.2% market share by September 2025. A label-expansion attempt in episodic cluster headache failed, however: Lundbeck's Phase 2/3 trial (NCT04688775) missed its primary endpoint (-4.0 vs -4.6 weekly attacks for placebo, p=0.5048), so Vyepti remains a migraine-prevention-only asset.

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Key facts

Related deals — scored

DealYearValueOutcome
H. Lundbeck A/S / Alder BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. (this deal)2019$1.9B
H. Lundbeck A/S / Prexton Therapeutics BV2018$1.1B14
Novartis AG / Advanced Accelerator Applications S.A.2017$3.9B98
Allergan plc / Merck & Co., Inc. (CGRP receptor antagonist program)2015$250M91
Cephalon Inc. / Laboratoire L. Lafon S.A. (Group Lafon)2000$450M89
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. / Auspex Pharmaceuticals2015$3.5B86
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. / Biogal Pharmaceutical199582

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