Jazz Pharmaceuticals To Acquire Chimerix, Expanding Oncology Portfolio
$CMRX
In a significant development in the pharmaceutical industry, Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: JAZZ) has announced its definitive agreement to acquire Chimerix Inc. (NASDAQ:CMRX) for $8.55 per share in cash. This transaction, valued at approximately $935 million, is set to close in the second quarter of 2025 and represents a strategic expansion of Jazz’s oncology portfolio. Chimerix’s lead clinical asset, dordaviprone, is a novel, first-in-class small molecule treatment currently in development for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma—a rare, high-grade brain tumor predominantly affecting children and young adults.
Bruce Cozadd, chairman and CEO of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, emphasized the strategic fit of this acquisition, noting that dordaviprone addresses a significant unmet medical need and has the potential to become a standard of care in the treatment of H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma. He highlighted the potential for dordaviprone to contribute durable revenue in the near-term, enhancing Jazz’s commitment to patients with rare diseases.
Mike Andriole, President and CEO of Chimerix, expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, attributing it to years of dedicated scientific effort by the Chimerix team. He anticipates that this move will deliver significant value to Chimerix shareholders. The transaction terms stipulate an all-cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of Chimerix’s common stock, reflecting a 72% premium based on the closing trading price on March 4, 2025.
Its is particularly noteworthy as there are no FDA-approved therapies specifically targeting this condition radiation remains the most common treatment method. The FDA has recently accepted a New Drug Application (NDA) for dordaviprone and granted it Priority Review, with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date set for August 18, 2025. The ongoing Phase 3 ACTION trial of dordaviprone could further confirm the clinical benefit of this treatment in recurrent H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma and extend its use to front-line patients.
Athe end the acquisition of Chimerix by Jazz Pharmaceuticals marks a pivotal development in the treatment of rare oncological diseases, with the potential to significantly improve the standard of care and expand treatment options for patients with H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma. This strategic move could also create a durable revenue stream for Jazz, with patent protection extending into 2037 and potentially position dordaviprone as a key therapy in the rare oncology sector.
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