THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.,Aug. 26, 2019/PRNewswire/ —Amgen(NASDAQ: AMGN) announced today that it has entered into an agreement withCelgene Corporation(NASDAQ: CELG) in connection with its previously announced merger withBristol-Myers Squibb Company(NYSE: BMY) to acquire worldwide rights to Otezla®(apremilast), the only oral, non-biologic treatment for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and certain related assets and liabilities, for$13.4 billionin cash, or approximately$11.2 billion, net of the present value of$2.2 billionin anticipated future cash tax benefits.Amgenbelieves that the acquisition of Otezla offers many benefits including:
A strong strategic fit withAmgen’slong-standing expertise in psoriasis and inflammation
A differentiated, oral therapy complementary toAmgen’sexisting inflammation franchise of innovative biologics and biosimilar products
At least low double-digit Otezla sales growth, on average, over the next five years
Acceleration ofAmgen’snear- and long-term revenue growth
Immediate non-GAAP EPS accretion
Intellectual Property exclusivity through at least 2028 in the U.S.
Worldwide rights which fit well withAmgen’sinternational presence and global expansion objectives
Support of increased R&D investment in 2020 to advanceAmgen’sinnovative pipeline of first-in-class molecules
No interruption in deployment ofAmgen’scapital allocation priorities
“The acquisition of Otezla offers a unique opportunity forAmgento provide patients an innovative oral therapy for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis that fits squarely within our portfolio and complements our Enbrel®and AMGEVITA®brands,” saidRobert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer atAmgen. “We will take advantage of our 20 years of experience in inflammatory disease to realize the full global potential of Otezla as an affordable option for patients with these serious, chronic inflammatory conditions.”
Otezla is the leading treatment in the post-topical, pre-biologic segment in its approved indications. Otezla is currently approved for three indications in the U.S.—the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy; adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis; and adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease. Otezla is approved in more than 50 markets outside the U.S., including theEuropean UnionandJapan, and has patent exclusivity through at least 2028 in the U.S.
Sales of Otezla in 2018 were$1.6 billiondriven by strong volume growth.Amgenhas stated previously that it will focus on medicines that can deliver sustained, long-term volume driven growth and the Companybelieves there is a significant opportunity to grow Otezla through global expansion and new indications, with expectations for Otezla to realize at least low double-digit sales growth, on average, over the next five years.
Strategic Benefits of the TransactionThis transaction will advanceAmgen’sstrategy in several ways:
Bringing Innovative Medicines to Patients —The number of patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases is growing worldwide.
Amgen is already a leader in this very large therapeutic category with Enbrel®(etanercept), a biologic medicine marketed byAmgen in the U.S. andCanada
to treat several chronic inflammatory diseases, including moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). ENBREL and Otezla are complementary. ENBREL is most frequently prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, while Otezla is positioned as a therapy of first-choice in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who are not satisfied with topical therapies given its differentiated mechanism of action and established efficacy and safety profile. In PsA, Otezla is positioned for use in patients early in their disease and/or with moderate joint involvement. Additionally, studies are currently underway exploring potential new indications for Otezla, including mild-to-moderate psoriasis.
Expanding Geographic Reach— Otezla is approved in 54 countries, including major markets such as France, Germany andJapan.Amgenis well positioned to continue driving Otezla international sales growth.
Investing for Long-Term Growth with Uninterrupted Capital Allocation Plans— The transaction is expected to contribute to
Amgen’s near- and long-term revenue growth rate and will be immediately accretive from close to non-GAAP earnings per share growth, with acceleration thereafter.Amgenwill finance the transaction with current balance sheet cash and expects to retain its investment grade credit rating. Additionally,Amgen’s
capital allocation priorities will remain unchanged as we invest to grow our business through internal investment and business development, maintain an optimal capital structure to minimize our Weighted Average Cost of Capital and continue to provide capital returns to shareholders through a growing dividend and continued share repurchases.
The closing of the acquisition is contingent onBristol-Myers Squibbentering into a consent decree with theFederal Trade Commissionin connection with the pendingCelgenemerger, the closing of the pending merger withCelgeneand the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2019.
“Otezla represents an exciting opportunity to strengthenAmgen’spresence in inflammation and continueAmgen’sgeographic expansion,” said Bradway. “We are excited about the opportunity that Otezla represents forAmgen, for our shareholders, and for patients worldwide, and we look forward to welcoming those staff members who support Otezla to theAmgenfamily.”
Dyal Co. LLCis acting as the lead financial advisor toAmgen.Goldman Sachs & Co.is serving as a financial advisor andSullivan & Cromwell LLPis serving as legal advisor toAmgen.
AboutAmgenAmgenis committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgenfocuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980,Amgenhas grown to be one of the world’s leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
For more information, visitwww.amgen.comand follow us onwww.twitter.com/amgen.
About OTEZLA®(apremilast)OTEZLA®(apremilast) 30 mg tablets is an oral small-molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) specific for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). PDE4 inhibition results in increased intracellular cAMP levels, which is thought to indirectly modulate the production of inflammatory mediators. The specific mechanism(s) by which OTEZLA exerts its therapeutic action in patients is not well defined.—— 推荐阅读!——