Pharma BD Deal Intelligence

UCB S.A. / Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

2019 · Acquisition/Merger · $2.1B · Complete

Announcement Sentiment
100
Strongly positive

UCB acquired Ra Pharmaceuticals for $48/share in cash, a transaction valued at approximately $2.3 billion (EUR2.1 billion), announced October 10, 2019 and completed April 2, 2020. The lead asset, zilucoplan, is a once-daily subcutaneous, targeted peptide inhibitor of complement component 5 (C5), in pivotal Phase 3 (RAISE study) for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) at the time of the deal. The thesis fully played out: on October 17, 2023 the FDA approved zilucoplan as ZILBRYSQ for the treatment of adults with anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive gMG -- the only once-daily, self-administered gMG-targeted therapy -- and UCB launched it commercially in the U.S.

Did it work? Outcome assessment

Strategic verdict
Achieved Stated Rationale
Financial impact
Neutral
Pipeline outcome
Assets Advanced

Key facts

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