PARIS – France-based drugmaker Sanofi is buying U.S. hemophilia specialist Bioverativ for $11.6 billion in a deal that Sanofi says will boost its profile for fighting rare diseases.
Sanofi history
The deal announced Monday is the latest such move in a pharmaceutical industry that’s seeing increasing interest in rare diseases.
“With Bioverativ, a leader in the growing hemophilia market, Sanofi enhances its presence in specialty care and leadership in rare diseases, in line with its 2020 Roadmap, and creates a platform for growth in other rare blood disorders. Together, we have a great opportunity to bring innovative medicines to patients worldwide, building on Bioverativ’s success in driving new standards of care with its extended half-life factor replacement therapies,” commented Olivier Brandicourt, Sanofi’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Combined, we will continue to leverage our scientific know-how, disciplined focus and development expertise that best position us to drive value for our shareholders and create breakthrough treatments for patients.”
Sanofi said in a statement that the boards of both companies approved the purchase, and that Sanofi will pay $105 per share in cash for all outstanding shares of Bioverativ. The Waltham, Massachusetts-based company focuses on blood disorders.
Bioverativ said it hopes its Eloctate and Alprolix hemophilia medications can reach a broader market thanks to Sanofi’s global infrastructure.
Sanofi’s strategy in the coming years includes expanding its rare disease portfolio, and hemophilia treatment is considered a growing market.
