Jazz Pharmaceuticals to Acquire Chimerix, Further Diversifying Oncology Portfolio
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) has announced the acquisition of Chimerix for $8.55 per share, representing a total cash consideration of $935 million - a 72% premium over Chimerix's closing price on March 4, 2025. The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2025.
The acquisition centers on dordaviprone, Chimerix's lead clinical asset, a first-in-class treatment for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, a rare brain tumor affecting children and young adults. The FDA has granted Priority Review for dordaviprone with a PDUFA date of August 18, 2025. If approved, it would be the first FDA-approved therapy specifically for this condition.
The drug is also being evaluated in the ongoing Phase 3 ACTION trial for newly diagnosed patients. Jazz plans to leverage its development and commercial capabilities for a potential launch in the second half of 2025, with patent protection extending to 2037.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) ha annunciato l'acquisizione di Chimerix per 8,55 dollari per azione, che rappresenta un corrispettivo totale in contante di 935 milioni di dollari - un premio del 72% rispetto al prezzo di chiusura di Chimerix del 4 marzo 2025. Si prevede che la transazione si concluda nel secondo trimestre del 2025.
L'acquisizione si concentra su dordaviprone, l'asset clinico principale di Chimerix, un trattamento di prima classe per il glioma diffuso mutante H3 K27M, un raro tumore cerebrale che colpisce bambini e giovani adulti. La FDA ha concesso la Revisione Prioritaria per dordaviprone con una data PDUFA del 18 agosto 2025. Se approvato, sarebbe la prima terapia approvata dalla FDA specificamente per questa condizione.
Il farmaco è anche in fase di valutazione nel trial ACTION di Fase 3 per pazienti recentemente diagnosticati. Jazz prevede di sfruttare le proprie capacità di sviluppo e commercializzazione per un possibile lancio nella seconda metà del 2025, con protezione brevettuale fino al 2037.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) ha anunciado la adquisición de Chimerix por 8.55 dólares por acción, lo que representa una contraprestación total en efectivo de 935 millones de dólares - una prima del 72% sobre el precio de cierre de Chimerix del 4 de marzo de 2025. Se espera que la transacción se cierre en el segundo trimestre de 2025.
La adquisición se centra en dordaviprone, el activo clínico principal de Chimerix, un tratamiento de primera clase para el glioma difuso mutante H3 K27M, un raro tumor cerebral que afecta a niños y jóvenes adultos. La FDA ha otorgado Revisión Prioritaria para dordaviprone con una fecha PDUFA del 18 de agosto de 2025. Si se aprueba, sería la primera terapia aprobada por la FDA específicamente para esta condición.
El fármaco también se está evaluando en el ensayo ACTION de Fase 3 para pacientes recién diagnosticados. Jazz planea aprovechar sus capacidades de desarrollo y comerciales para un posible lanzamiento en la segunda mitad de 2025, con protección de patente hasta 2037.
재즈 제약(JAZZ)이 치메릭스를 주당 8.55달러에 인수한다고 발표했습니다. 이는 9억 3500만 달러의 총 현금 대가에 해당하며, 2025년 3월 4일 치메릭스의 종가 대비 72%의 프리미엄을 나타냅니다. 이번 거래는 2025년 2분기에 마무리될 것으로 예상됩니다.
이번 인수는 치메릭스의 주요 임상 자산인 도르다비프론에 초점을 맞추고 있으며, 이는 H3 K27M 변이 확산 교모세포종에 대한 1세대 치료제입니다. 이 드문 뇌종양은 어린이와 청년에게 영향을 미칩니다. FDA는 도르다비프론에 대해 우선 심사를 승인했으며, PDUFA 날짜는 2025년 8월 18일입니다. 승인될 경우 이 조건에 대해 FDA가 승인한 최초의 치료제가 될 것입니다.
이 약물은 새롭게 진단된 환자를 위한 3상 ACTION 시험에서도 평가되고 있습니다. 재즈는 2025년 하반기에 출시할 가능성을 위해 개발 및 상업적 역량을 활용할 계획이며, 특허 보호는 2037년까지 연장됩니다.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) a annoncé l'acquisition de Chimerix pour 8,55 dollars par action, représentant une contrepartie totale en espèces de 935 millions de dollars - une prime de 72 % par rapport au prix de clôture de Chimerix du 4 mars 2025. La transaction devrait être finalisée au deuxième trimestre de 2025.
L'acquisition se concentre sur dordaviprone, l'actif clinique phare de Chimerix, un traitement de première classe pour le gliome diffus mutant H3 K27M, une tumeur cérébrale rare touchant les enfants et les jeunes adultes. La FDA a accordé une Révision Prioritaire pour dordaviprone avec une date PDUFA du 18 août 2025. Si approuvé, ce serait la première thérapie approuvée par la FDA spécifiquement pour cette condition.
Le médicament est également évalué dans l'
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) hat die Übernahme von Chimerix für 8,55 Dollar pro Aktie angekündigt, was einem Gesamtbetrag von 935 Millionen Dollar entspricht - ein Aufschlag von 72% auf den Schlusskurs von Chimerix am 4. März 2025. Der Abschluss der Transaktion wird für das zweite Quartal 2025 erwartet.
Die Übernahme konzentriert sich auf dordaviprone, das führende klinische Asset von Chimerix, eine erstklassige Behandlung für H3 K27M-mutierten diffusen Gliom, einen seltenen Hirntumor, der Kinder und junge Erwachsene betrifft. Die FDA hat für dordaviprone eine Prioritätsprüfung genehmigt, mit einem PDUFA-Datum vom 18. August 2025. Wenn genehmigt, wäre es die erste von der FDA zugelassene Therapie speziell für diesen Zustand.
Das Medikament wird auch in der laufenden Phase 3 ACTION-Studie für neu diagnostizierte Patienten bewertet. Jazz plant, seine Entwicklungs- und kommerziellen Fähigkeiten für einen möglichen Markteintritt in der zweiten Hälfte von 2025 zu nutzen, mit Patentschutz bis 2037.
- Acquisition adds near-term commercial opportunity with PDUFA date in August 2025
- 72% premium acquisition price shows strong strategic value
- First-in-class drug addressing unmet need with no FDA-approved competitors
- Patent protection until 2037 ensures long-term revenue potential
- Priority Review status accelerates potential market entry
- High acquisition cost of $935 million impacts cash reserves
- Success dependent on FDA approval - not guaranteed
- Clinical trial outcomes in Phase 3 ACTION still pending
- Integration risks with new acquisition
Insights
This acquisition represents a significant strategic move in the rare pediatric oncology space. Jazz is acquiring a first-in-class therapy for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, a devastating rare brain tumor with no FDA-approved treatments currently available.
Dordaviprone's development addresses a critical treatment gap where radiation remains the primary approach. The drug has already cleared important regulatory hurdles, with the FDA granting Priority Review and setting a PDUFA date of August 18, 2025. This accelerated timeline indicates the FDA recognizes the urgent unmet need.
Beyond the initial indication in recurrent disease, the ongoing Phase 3 ACTION trial could potentially expand dordaviprone's use to newly-diagnosed patients after radiation, which would substantially increase its clinical impact. From a therapeutic perspective, dordaviprone could become the cornerstone treatment for this patient population.
The acquisition also creates potential for a Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher, a valuable asset that could be used to accelerate review of another product or sold for significant value (typically
Jazz's
The acquisition diversifies Jazz's oncology portfolio with a near-commercial asset that addresses an orphan indication with competition. The August 2025 PDUFA date means potential revenue generation could begin this year, aligning with Jazz's strategy of building its rare disease commercial portfolio.
The patent protection extending to 2037 ensures a long exclusivity runway for dordaviprone if approved. Additionally, the potential Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher represents a valuable secondary asset that could offset part of the acquisition cost.
For Chimerix shareholders, this deal delivers premium valuation without clinical and commercial execution risks. For Jazz, while the upfront cost is substantial, the acquisition secures a potential commercial-stage asset with strong IP protection that complements their existing oncology business. The expedited regulatory timeline and potential expansion to front-line treatment present clear revenue growth drivers.
-Dordaviprone addresses a significant unmet patient need for patients with rare, high-grade brain tumors-
-Transaction to add near-term commercial opportunity to Jazz's pipeline-
-Transaction represents total cash consideration of approximately
Chimerix's lead clinical asset is dordaviprone, a novel first-in-class small molecule treatment in development for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, a rare, high-grade brain tumor that most commonly affects children and young adults. There are no
"Adding dordaviprone to our oncology R&D pipeline will further diversify our portfolio with a medicine that addresses a significant unmet need with no other FDA-approved therapies and limited treatment options for this patient population. If approved, dordaviprone has the potential to rapidly become a standard of care for a rare oncology disease and also contribute durable revenue beginning in the near-term," said Bruce Cozadd, chairman and chief executive officer, Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "We are encouraged by the dordaviprone clinical trial results to date and look forward to closing the proposed acquisition and working with our new colleagues from Chimerix to fully leverage our combined R&D and commercial expertise to deliver this novel therapy to patients, beginning as early as the second half of this year."
"We are excited to reach this agreement with Jazz Pharmaceuticals as they bring global scale to broaden our dordaviprone commercial strategy," said Mike Andriole, President and CEO of Chimerix. "The transaction, if approved, provides the opportunity to advance access to dordaviprone to reach more patients globally. This announcement is the culmination of years of scientific work by our incredibly talented team, and will deliver significant and certain value to our shareholders."
Key Highlights
- Strategic fit that will strengthen Jazz's presence in the rare oncology space and reinforces commitment to patients with rare diseases with significant unmet need
- Dordaviprone has been shown to benefit patients with recurrent H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma across several clinical studies, with a consistently favorable safety profile both as monotherapy and in combination with other treatment approaches including radiation
- With no currently approved therapies for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma patients, dordaviprone has the potential to rapidly become a standard of care and a meaningful therapy for patients with limited treatment options
- Potential near-term commercial launch in the
U.S. , if approved- FDA has accepted an NDA for dordaviprone seeking accelerated approval for treatment of H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma in adult and pediatric patients with progressive disease following prior therapy
- NDA has been granted Priority Review and assigned a PDUFA target action date of August 18, 2025
- Following the closing of the proposed acquisition and in collaboration with its new colleagues from Chimerix, Jazz plans to leverage its combined development and commercial capabilities to continue advancing the dordaviprone clinical trial program and execute a strong commercial launch, if approved in the
U.S. - Will create an additional durable revenue opportunity for Jazz with patent protection into 2037, with potential to receive patent term extension
- Ongoing Phase 3 ACTION trial has potential to confirm clinical benefit of dordaviprone in recurrent H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma and extend its use to front-line patients
Transaction Terms
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Jazz will commence an all-cash tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Chimerix's common stock, whereby Chimerix shareholders will be offered
Jazz expects to fund the transaction through existing cash and investments.
Closing Conditions
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of a majority of the outstanding shares of Chimerix's voting common stock and other conditions. Chimerix's Board of Directors unanimously recommends that Chimerix shareholders tender their shares in the tender offer.
Advisors
Guggenheim Securities is serving as financial advisor to Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor.
Centerview Partners LLC is serving as financial advisor to Chimerix, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Cooley LLP are serving as legal advisors.
About Dordaviprone
Dordaviprone (ONC201) is a novel first-in-class small molecule imipridone that selectively targets the mitochondrial protease ClpP and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2). Dordaviprone's unique mechanism of action includes alterations of key epigenetic modifications such as reversal of H3 K27me3-loss, which is the hallmark of H3 K27M-mutant gliomas.
About Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: JAZZ) is a global biopharmaceutical company whose purpose is to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families. We are dedicated to developing life-changing medicines for people with serious diseases — often with limited or no therapeutic options. We have a diverse portfolio of marketed medicines, including leading therapies for sleep disorders and epilepsy, and a growing portfolio of cancer treatments. Our patient-focused and science-driven approach powers pioneering research and development advancements across our robust pipeline of innovative therapeutics in oncology and neuroscience. Jazz is headquartered in
About Chimerix
Chimerix is a biopharmaceutical company with a mission to develop medicines that meaningfully improve and extend the lives of patients facing deadly diseases. The Company's most advanced clinical-stage development program, dordaviprone, is in development for H3 K27M-mutant glioma. The Company is conducting Phase 1 dose escalation studies of ONC206 to evaluate safety and PK data.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to future events and the future performance of Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc. ("Jazz") and Chimerix, Inc. ("Chimerix"), including statements regarding Jazz's proposed acquisition of Chimerix, the anticipated occurrence, manner and timing of the proposed tender offer, the closing of the proposed acquisition and the prospective benefits of the proposed acquisition, including benefits from dordaviprone's potential to improve the standard of care for a rare oncology disease and also contribute durable revenue beginning in the near-term; dordaviprone's potential to rapidly become a standard of care and a meaningful therapy for patients with limited treatment options; the potential for a near-term commercial launch of dordaviprone in the
Additional Information and Where to Find It
The tender offer referenced in this communication has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Chimerix, Jazz or its acquisition subsidiary, Pinetree Acquisition Sub, Inc., is expected to file with the SEC upon the commencement of the tender offer. The solicitation and offer to tender and the offer to buy Chimerix stock will only be made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an Offer to Purchase and related tender offer materials that Jazz and its acquisition subsidiary, Pinetree Acquisition Sub, Inc. is expected to file with the SEC. At the time the tender offer is commenced, Jazz and its acquisition subsidiary will file a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO and thereafter Chimerix is expected to file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC with respect to the tender offer. CHIMERIX'S STOCKHOLDERS AND OTHER INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, A RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTAIN OTHER TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS), AS WELL AS THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 BECAUSE THEY WILL EACH CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT HOLDERS OF CHIMERIX SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER. The Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal, certain other tender offer documents, as well as the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, will be made available to all stockholders of Chimerix at no expense to them and will also be made available for free at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Additional copies may be obtained for free by contacting either Jazz or Chimerix. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Chimerix will be available free of charge on Chimerix's website at https://www.chimerix.com or by contacting Chimerix at IR@chimerix.com. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Jazz will be available free of charge on Jazz's website at https://investor.jazzpharma.com or by contacting Jazz's Investor Relations Department at investorinfo@jazzpharma.com.
In addition to the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, as well as the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, Jazz and Chimerix each file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC, which are available to the public over the internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
Contacts
Investors:
Jeff Macdonald
Executive Director, Investor Relations
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc
InvestorInfo@jazzpharma.com
Ireland +353 1 634 3211
U.S. +1 650 496 2717
Media:
Kristin Bhavnani
Head of Global Corporate Communications
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc
CorporateAffairsMediaInfo@jazzpharma.com
Chimerix Investors:
Will O'Connor
Stern Investor Relations
212-362-1200
Chimerix Media:
Dan
Collected Strategies
cmrx-cs@collectedstrategies.com
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SOURCE Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc
FAQ
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