Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi) acquired CTI BioPharma for $9.10 per share in cash (~$1.7 billion), gaining Vonjo (pacritinib), an FDA-approved JAK2/IRAK1 inhibitor for myelofibrosis with severe thrombocytopenia (platelets <50x10^9/L). The all-cash tender closed 22 Sep 2023. Post-close, Vonjo has outgrown the niche framing: Sobi reported Vonjo sales of SEK 416 M in Q4 2024 (up from SEK 322 M in Q4 2023) and SEK 306 M in Q1 2025. The core thesis risk is unresolved: Vonjo remains under accelerated approval, and the confirmatory PACIFICA Phase 3 trial (NCT03165734) is still active with primary completion expected October 2026 — continued approval is contingent on its outcome.