Key Takeaways
- AstraZeneca PLC is acquiring Amolyt Pharma for $1.05 billion to strengthen its pipeline for rare diseases, particularly hypoparathyroidism.
- The deal includes an upfront payment of $800 million with a potential additional payment of $250 million, contingent on meeting regulatory approvals.
- AstraZeneca said it expects the deal to close by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) plans to acquire biotech firm Amolyt Pharma for $1.05 billion in cash, the drugmaker said Thursday, boosting its pipeline of drugs to treat rare diseases.
Amolyt Pharma is in late-stage development of a drug for hypoparathyroidism, a deficiency in parathyroid hormone production that can lead to chronic kidney disease. AstraZeneca said hypoparathyroidism affects 115,000 people in the U.S. and 107,000 people in the European Union, approximately 80% of whom are women.This acquisition will strengthen Alexion, AstraZeneca's rare disease arm, the company said.
Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will acquire all of Amolyt Pharma’s outstanding shares for $1.05 billion, including an $800 million upfront payment and an additional $250 million upon achievement of a specified regulatory milestone. AstraZeneca said it expects the deal to close by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
It acquired Pfizer's rare disease gene therapy portfolio; CinCor Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company; and biopharma firm Icosavax to expand into cutting-edge vaccine technology. AstraZeneca also signed a licensing agreement for an experimental weight-loss pill with Chinese company Eccogene and is developing breast cancer treatments with Japan's Daiichi Sankyo.
AstraZeneca shares were down 0.73% at $67.09 at 12:22 p.m. ET Thursday and are off about 3% in the past year.Do you have a news tip for Investopedia reporters? Please email us at
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