Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
Trade press framed the acquisition as positioning Merck for ophthalmology growth via Inspire's specialty sales force and AzaSite revenue stream, alongside…
MedCity News framed the deal as Merck capitalizing on Inspire's pulmonary-program failure to pick up a specialty US ophthalmic sales force at a 26% premium…
The Pharma Letter highlighted AzaSite as the headline asset and characterized the $430M outlay as a fair entry price for Merck into the prescription ophthalmic…
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Merck acquired Inspire Pharmaceuticals for $5.00/share cash, total ~$430M, to expand its ophthalmic franchise. Inspire products included AzaSite (azithromycin ophthalmic) and US co-promotion rights to Restasis. Closed May 2011.
Assessment window: 5yr post-close.
| Deal | Year | Value | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (this deal) | 2011 | $430M | 23 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Acceleron Pharma Inc. | 2021 | $11.5B | 90 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Peloton Therapeutics Inc. | 2019 | $2.2B | 88 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / AstraZeneca PLC | 2017 | $8.5B | 87 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Moderna, Inc. | 2022 | $250M | 86 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Moderna, Inc. | 2016 | $250M | 84 |
| Merck & Co. Inc. / Eisai Co., Ltd. | 2018 | $5.8B | 83 |
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More: 2011 deals · Merck & Co. Inc. deals · Ophthalmology deals