Lundbeck and Alder BioPharmaceuticals have announced a definitive agreement for Lundbeck to acquire Alder in a transaction valued at up to USD 1.95 billion net of cash.

Alder is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming migraine treatment through the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutic antibodies. Through this acquisition, Lundbeck will continue to expand the range of brain diseases. In addition, by acquiring Alder, Lundbeck will further enhance its capabilities to deliver future biological innovations in brain diseases, it states.

“Alder is an excellent strategic fit for Lundbeck’s focused expertise in brain diseases and organizational capabilities. This transaction flows from our strategic intent to Expand and Invest to Grow. Migraine prevention is an attractive indication for us that leverages our specialized commercial expertise in delivering medicines for brain diseases. We expect the global launch of eptinezumab for the preventive treatment of migraine, as well as the further potential development of the product in additional indications, to accelerate Lundbeck’s growth in the coming years,” says Dr. Deborah Dunsire, President and CEO of Lundbeck.

About Alder

Alder is developing eptinezumab for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. Eptinezumab is an investigational monoclonal antibody (mAb) that is administered as a quarterly 30-minute IV infusion. Eptinezumab was designed for immediate and complete bioavailability with high specificity and strong binding for suppression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide believed to play a key role in mediating and initiating migraines. If approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it will be the first IV CGRP therapy for migraine prevention. Alder is also developing ALD1910, a mAb designed to inhibit pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) for migraine prevention. Eptinezumab, together with ALD1910, will help establish Lundbeck as an emerging leader in migraine and other pain syndromes.

Alder submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the FDA for eptinezumab in February 2019 and the FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of 21 February 2020. Lundbeck expects to submit eptinezumab for approval to regulatory authorities in the European Union during 2020, followed by submissions for approval in other regions around the world including China and Japan.

Strategic benefits

The proposed transaction is anticipated to significantly strengthen Lundbeck’s business as early as 2020, accelerating the build of Lundbeck’s late-stage pipeline and providing access to new capabilities in the monoclonal antibody field, it states. The addition of eptinezumab will expand Lundbeck’s global brain disease franchise.

Lundbeck will gain an early-stage antibody, ALD1910, against a separate target for migraine and other pain syndromes with the potential to leverage the expertise in migraine across a broader product offering. Lundbeck will also gain access to a team with strong monoclonal antibody expertise, accelerating Lundbeck’s capabilities in this arena. The transaction is expected to be core EPS accretive in 2023 assuming FDA approval in the first quarter of 2020 followed by regulatory approvals in other regions including Europe.

Terms, closing conditions and financing

Under the terms of the agreement, Lundbeck will commence a tender offer for all outstanding shares of Alder, whereby Alder stockholders will be offered an upfront payment for USD 18.00 per share in cash, along with one non-tradeable Contingent Value Right (CVR) of USD 2.00 per share. The upfront cash consideration represents a 79% premium to Alder’s shareholders based on the closing price on 13 September 2019 and an approximately 3% discount based on the 52-week high share price.

The Board of Alder has unanimously approved the transaction and Alder will file a recommendation to shareholders recommending they tender their shares to Lundbeck. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of more than 50% of all shares of Alder outstanding at the expiration of the offer and receipt of required regulatory clearances, which includes a Hart-Scott-Rodino review in the U.S.

Lundbeck expects to fund the acquisition through existing cash resources and bank financing.

Photo of Deborah Dunsire: Lundbeck