大AZ收Alexion

Alexion专注于针对补体系统的罕见病新药开发，上市了2款针对C5的单抗Soliris（eculizumab）和Ultomiris（ravulizumab）

Soliris是首个抑制C5补体的单抗，每2周给药1次，于2007年首次获准上市，已获批治疗4种超级罕见病，分别为：阵发性睡眠性血红蛋白尿症（PNH）、非典型溶血性尿毒综合征(aHUS)、抗乙酰胆碱受体抗体阳性全身型重症肌无力（gMG）、抗AQP4抗体阳性视神经脊髓炎谱系障碍（NMOSD）

Ultomiris是个长效C5补体抑制剂，已被批准用于成人PNH和成人或≥1月龄的非典型溶血性尿毒综合征（aHUS）：目前上市IV制剂，在成人患者中，每8周静脉给药一次；在体重＜20公斤的儿科患者中，每4周静脉给药一次。

今年披露了基于SmartDose®设备的每周一次自我皮下注射（SC）剂型Ultomiris治疗成人PAH的一项III期临床研究结果，与Ultomiris IV制剂相比达到了疗效的非劣和一致的安全性，预计将于21Q3提交Ultomiris SC制剂和设备组合产品治疗PNH和aHUS的上市申请。

目前Soliris的Revenue靠近年批的神经领域俩indication拉动，Ultomiris就是靠更先进的给药方式转化来自使用Soliris的PHN和aHUS患者，PHN在三大主要市场的转换率已经超过70%

之前公司的愿景：深耕补体生物学，拓宽治疗领域，差异化的罕见病管线

AstraZeneca to Acquire Alexion, Accelerating the Company's Strategic and Financial Development

下载链接：

https://www.astrazeneca.com/content/dam/az/PDF/2020/20201212_Call_Alxn_Cmb_prsn.pdf

明天凌晨会议

Saturday 12 December 2020 | 14:00 GMT

https://astrazeneca.zoom.us/s/99546038702

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ID: 995 4603 8702 |  PW: 12121220

交易形式就是这样，反正，我是没见过这么多钱

• Greater scientific presence in immunology by adding Alexion's innovative complement-technology platforms and strong pipeline 

• Dedicated rare disease unit to be headquartered in Boston

• Geographical presence to be enhanced with broad coverage across primary, speciality and highly specialised care

• Double-digit revenue growth through 2025; acquisition strengthens AstraZeneca’s broad-based revenue and the company will further globalise Alexion’s portfolio 

• Enhanced operating margin and cash flow to enable rapid debt reduction with an ambition to increase the dividend

• The acquisition will be immediately core earnings-accretive and value-enhancing, and is aligned with stated capital-allocation priorities

CAMBRIDGE, England & BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2020-- AstraZeneca and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alexion) have entered into a definitive agreement for AstraZeneca to acquire Alexion.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201212005016/en/

Alexion shareholders will receive $60 in cash and 2.1243 AstraZeneca American Depositary Shares (ADSs) (each ADS representing one-half of one (1/2) ordinary share of AstraZeneca, as evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)) for each Alexion share. Based on AstraZeneca's reference average ADR price of $54.14, this implies total consideration to Alexion shareholders of $39bn or $175 per share.

The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the acquisition. Subject to receipt of regulatory clearances and approval by shareholders of both companies, the acquisition is expected to close in Q3 2021, and upon completion, Alexion shareholders will own c.15% of the combined company.

Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca, said: "Alexion has established itself as a leader in complement biology, bringing life-changing benefits to patients with rare diseases. This acquisition allows us to enhance our presence in immunology. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues at Alexion so that we can together build on our combined expertise in immunology and precision medicines to drive innovation that delivers life-changing medicines for more patients."

Ludwig Hantson, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Alexion, said: “For nearly 30 years Alexion has worked to develop and deliver transformative medicines to patients around the world with rare and devastating diseases. I am incredibly proud of what our organisation has accomplished and am grateful to our employees for their contributions. This transaction marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Alexion. We bring to AstraZeneca a strong portfolio, innovative rare disease pipeline, a talented global workforce and strong manufacturing capabilities in biologics. We remain committed to continuing to serve the patients who rely on our medicines and firmly believe the combined organisation will be well positioned to accelerate innovation and deliver enhanced value for our shareholders, patients and the rare disease communities.”

Strategic rationale

Both companies share the same dedication to science and innovation to deliver life-changing medicines. The capabilities of both organisations will create a company with great strengths across a range of technology platforms, with the ability to bring innovative medicines to millions of people worldwide. The combined company will also have an enhanced global footprint and broad coverage across primary, speciality and highly specialised care.

Scientific leadership - accelerated presence in immunology

AstraZeneca has built a growing scientific presence in oncology, and in cardiovascular, renal and metabolism, and respiratory diseases, with a focus on organ protection. AstraZeneca has developed a broad range of technologies, initially focused on small molecules and biologics and with a growing focus in precision medicine, genomics, oligonucleotides and epigenetics. More recently, AstraZeneca has increased its efforts in immunology research and the development of medicines for immune-mediated diseases.

Alexion has pioneered complement inhibition for a broad spectrum of immune-mediated rare diseases caused by uncontrolled activation of the complement system, a vital part of the immune system. Alexion's franchise includes Soliris (eculizumab), a first-in-class anti-complement component 5 (C5) monoclonal antibody. The medicine is approved in many countries for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome, generalized myasthenia gravis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. More recently, Alexion launched Ultomiris (ravulizumab), a second-generation C5 monoclonal antibody with a more convenient dosing regimen.

Alexion's immunology expertise extends to other targets in the complement cascade beyond C5 as well as additional modalities, with its deep pipeline including Factor D small-molecule inhibitors of the alternative pathway of the complement system, an antibody blocking neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)-mediated recycling, and a bi-specific mini-body targeting C5, among others. The FcRn extends the half-life and hence the availability of pathogenic immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies.

AstraZeneca, with Alexion's R&D team, will work to build on Alexion's pipeline of 11 molecules across more than 20 clinical-development programmes across the spectrum of indications, in rare diseases and beyond.

Alexion's leading expertise in complement biology will accelerate AstraZeneca's growing presence in immunology. The acquisition adds a new technology platform to AstraZeneca's science and innovation-driven strategy. The complement cascade is pivotal to the innate immune system. It plays a crucial role in many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases across multiple therapy areas, including haematology, nephrology, neurology, metabolic disorders, cardiology, ophthalmology and acute care. In contrast, AstraZeneca's capabilities in genomics, precision medicine and oligonucleotides can be leveraged to develop medicines targeting less-frequent diseases. Combining AstraZeneca’s capabilities in precision medicine and Alexion’s expertise in rare-disease development and commercialisation will enable the new company to develop a portfolio of medicines addressing the large unmet needs of patients suffering from rare diseases.

The combined companies will bring together two rapidly converging, patient-centric models of care delivery with combined strengths in immunology, biologics, genomics and oligonucleotides to drive future medicine innovation. AstraZeneca intends to establish Boston, Massachusetts, US as its headquarters for rare diseases, capitalising on talent in the greater Boston area.

Industry-leading revenue growth; enhanced geographical presence and broad coverage across primary, specialised and highly specialised care

AstraZeneca's acquisition of Alexion, with its strong commercial portfolio and robust pipeline, will support its long-term ambition to develop novel medicines in areas of immunology with high unmet medical needs. Alexion achieved impressive revenue growth over the last few years, with revenues of $5.0bn in 2019 (21% year-on-year growth). Alexion has exhibited skilful commercial execution in building its 'blockbuster' C5 franchise. The success of the franchise is demonstrated by the effective transition of over 70% of PNH patients from Soliris to Ultomiris in less than two years of launch in its key markets, including the US, Japan and Germany, as well as the strong pipeline of additional indications for Ultomiris.

Rare diseases is a high-growth therapy area with rapid innovation and significant unmet medical need. Over 7,000 rare diseases are known today, and only c.5% have US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments.1 The global rare disease market is forecasted to grow by a low double digit percentage in the future.2

AstraZeneca intends to build on its geographical footprint and extensive emerging markets presence to accelerate the worldwide expansion of Alexion's portfolio.

The two companies have been on converging paths, AstraZeneca expanding its presence from primary to speciality care, whereas Alexion has been progressing from ultra-orphan to orphan and speciality conditions.

The acquisition strengthens AstraZeneca's industry-leading growth, underpinned by its broad portfolio of medicines, which will enable the new company to bring innovative medicines to a broad range of healthcare practitioners in primary, speciality and highly specialised care.

The combined company is expected to deliver double-digit average annual revenue growth through 2025.

Financial benefits

Enhanced revenue growth, operating margin and cash-flow generation

The acquisition is expected to improve the combined Group’s profitability, with the core operating margin significantly enhanced in the short term, and with continued expansion thereafter. This uplift is supported by increased scale and expected recurring run-rate pre-tax synergies of c.$500m per year from the combined Group (by end of the third year following completion of the acquisition). AstraZeneca expects to generate significant value from the acquisition by extending Alexion's commercial reach through leveraging AstraZeneca’s global presence and accelerating the development of Alexion's pipeline.

The acquisition also strengthens AstraZeneca's cash-flow generation, providing additional flexibility to reinvest in R&D and rapid debt reduction, with an ambition to increase the dividend.

Immediately earnings-accretive and value-enhancing acquisition, in line with stated capital-allocation priorities

The acquisition is expected to deliver robust and sustainable accretion to AstraZeneca's core earnings per share (EPS) from the outset, with double-digit percentage accretion anticipated in the first three years following the completion of the acquisition.

The acquisition of Alexion is consistent with AstraZeneca's capital-allocation priorities. The combined company is expected to maintain a strong, investment-grade credit rating, and the acquisition supports AstraZeneca's progressive dividend policy. The combination represents a significant step in AstraZeneca's strategic and financial-growth plans.

Webinar and conference call

A webinar and conference call for investors and analysts will begin at 2:00 pm UK time today, please join 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

UK: [phone]

Sweden: [phone]

US: [phone]

Webinar ID: 995 4603 8702

Password: 12121220