Pfizer Completes Acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals

Rhea-AI Summary

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) has successfully completed the acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals for $100 per share, totaling approximately $6.7 billion. This strategic move aims to enhance Pfizer's capabilities in treating immuno-inflammatory diseases, leveraging Arena's promising pipeline, including etrasimod. Etrasimod is being developed for conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease. The acquisition is anticipated to advance Pfizer’s Inflammation and Immunology therapeutic area.

Positive

• Acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals for $6.7 billion enhances Pfizer's immuno-inflammatory disease portfolio.
• Etrasimod, a key asset, has potential applications in multiple inflammatory diseases.

Negative

• Integration risks and uncertainties could impact the expected benefits of the acquisition.
• Potential negative effects on Pfizer’s stock price post-acquisition.

Acquisition offers new, differentiated, and potentially best-in-class approach to address needs of a broader number of patients with immuno-inflammatory diseases

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced today the completion of its acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage company developing innovative potential therapies for the treatment of several immuno-inflammatory diseases.

Arena Pharmaceuticals brings to Pfizer a portfolio of diverse and promising development-stage therapeutic candidates in gastroenterology, dermatology, and cardiology, including etrasimod, an oral, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator currently in development for a range of immuno-inflammatory diseases including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease, atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and alopecia areata.

“We are excited to add the impressive experience and pipeline of Arena Pharmaceuticals to Pfizer’s Inflammation and Immunology therapeutic area, helping us further our purpose of developing breakthroughs to change the lives of those with immuno-inflammatory diseases,” said Mike Gladstone, Global President & General Manager, Pfizer Inflammation and Immunology. “In particular, we’re hopeful that we can accelerate clinical development of etrasimod successfully to have a positive impact on those living with these debilitating diseases.”

Arena has previously indicated that it expected the results of the Phase 3 ELEVATE-UC trial of etrasimod in ulcerative colitis during the first quarter of 2022.

Arena’s pipeline also includes two development-stage cardiovascular assets: temanogrel for microvascular obstruction and Raynaud's phenomenon secondary to systemic sclerosis, and APD418 for acute heart failure.

Additional Transaction Details

Pfizer has completed its acquisition of all outstanding shares, options, and restricted stock units of Arena for $100 per share, in cash, for a total equity value of approximately $6.7 billion. The acquisition was completed by way of a merger in accordance with Delaware law and, as a result of the acquisition, Arena became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pfizer. In connection with the acquisition, Arena’s shares of common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq Global Select Market on or about March 11, 2022.

For additional background on the acquisition, please read the announcement press release here.

About Pfizer Inflammation & Immunology
At Pfizer Inflammation & Immunology, we strive to deliver breakthroughs that enable freedom from day-to-day suffering for people living with autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases, which can be debilitating, disfiguring and distressing, dramatically affecting what they can do. With a focus on immuno-inflammatory conditions in Rheumatology, Gastroenterology and Medical Dermatology, our current portfolio of approved medicines and investigational molecules spans multiple action and delivery mechanisms, from topicals to small molecules, biologics and biosimilars. The root cause of many immunological diseases is immuno-inflammation, which requires specifically designed agents. Our differentiated R&D approach resulted in one of the broadest pipelines in the industry, where we purposefully match molecules to diseases where we believe they can make the biggest difference. Building on our decades-long commitment and pioneering science, we continue to advance the standard of care for patients living with immuno-inflammatory diseases and are working hand-in-hand with patients, caregivers and the broader healthcare community on healthcare solutions for the many challenges of managing chronic inflammatory diseases, allowing patients to live their best lives.

Pfizer Inc.: Breakthroughs that Change Patients’ Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety, and value in the discovery, development, and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments, and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is as of March 11, 2022. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments.

This release contains forward-looking information about Pfizer’s acquisition of Arena, Pfizer’s I&I portfolio, including etrasimod, temanogrel and APD418, and expected best-in-class and growth potential, including their potential benefits, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits from the acquisition will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; negative effects of the consummation of the acquisition on the market price of Pfizer’s common stock and/or operating results; significant transaction costs; unknown liabilities; the risk of litigation and/or regulatory actions related to the acquisition or Arena’s business; other business effects and uncertainties, including the effects of industry, market, business, economic, political or regulatory conditions; future exchange and interest rates; changes in tax and other laws, regulations, rates and policies; future business combinations or disposals; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data; risks associated with interim data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from the clinical studies; whether and when drug applications may be filed in any jurisdictions for etrasimod, temanogrel, APD418 or any other investigational products; whether and when any such applications may be approved by regulatory authorities, which will depend on myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether the product's benefits outweigh its known risks and determination of the product's efficacy and, if approved, whether etrasimod, temanogrel, APD418 or any such other products will be commercially successful; decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of etrasimod, temanogrel, APD418 or any such other products; uncertainties regarding the impact of COVID-19; and competitive developments.

A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results”, as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and www.pfizer.com.

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Source: Pfizer Inc.

FAQ

What is the acquisition value of Arena Pharmaceuticals by Pfizer?

Pfizer acquired Arena Pharmaceuticals for approximately $6.7 billion, paying $100 per share.

What diseases is etrasimod being developed for?

Etrasimod is being developed for immuno-inflammatory diseases including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease, and atopic dermatitis.

When will Arena's shares be delisted from Nasdaq?

Arena's shares will be delisted from the Nasdaq Global Select Market on or about March 11, 2022.

What impact does Pfizer expect from the Arena acquisition?

Pfizer expects to accelerate the clinical development of etrasimod and expand its treatment options for immuno-inflammatory diseases.

What are the potential risks of the Arena acquisition?

The acquisition faces potential integration challenges and market uncertainties that could affect Pfizer's stock price.