Celgene to Acquire Receptos

Celgene Corporation and Receptos, Inc. haveannounced the signing of a definitive agreement in which Celgene has agreed to acquire Receptos. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Celgene will pay $232.00 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $7.2 billion, net of cash acquired.

The acquisition of Receptos significantly enhances Celgene's Inflammation & Immunology (I&I) portfolio, further diversifies the Company's revenue beginning in 2019 and beyond, and builds upon Celgene's growing expertise in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The transaction adds Ozanimod, a novel, potential best-in-class, oral, once-daily, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate 1 and 5 receptor modulator (S1P) to Celgene's deep and diverse pipeline of potential disease-altering medicines and investigational compounds.

Based on clinical studies, Ozanimod demonstrated several areas of potential advantage over existing oral therapies for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) and relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), including its cardiac, hepatotoxicity and lymphocyte recovery profile. The phase III TRUE NORTH trial in UC is currently underway with data expected in 2018. The phase III RADIANCE and SUNBEAM RMS trials are ongoing and data are expected in the first half of 2017 to support a RMS approval in 2018. Additionally, Ozanimod is positioned to potentially become the first S1P receptor modulator to be approved for IBD.

"The Receptos acquisition provides a transformational opportunity for Celgene to impact multiple therapeutic areas," said Bob Hugin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Celgene. "This acquisition enhances our I&I portfolio and allows us to leverage the investments made in our global organization to accelerate our growth in the medium and long-term."

Celgene has a strong scientific foundation in inflammation and immunology that covers a broad spectrum of diseases. Anchored by the successful global launch of OTEZLA® (apremilast) in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and new opportunities for expansion as a result of the addition of the Receptos programs, Celgene's I&I pipeline will, upon completion of the transaction, consist of three high-potential commercialized or late-stage assets; OTEZLA, GED-0301 and Ozanimod. All three candidates are in phase III development and encompass four indications: Behçet's disease, Crohn's disease (CD), UC and RMS. The pipeline also includes seven molecules in phase II development in a variety of indications, including RPC4046 for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and a growing number of phase I and preclinical assets. 

 "In Celgene, we have found the ideal partner to maximize the potential of Ozanimod and our promising pipeline in order to improve the lives of patients worldwide," said Faheem Hasnain, President and Chief Executive Officer of Receptos.

"Ozanimod is a potentially transformational oral therapy that has demonstrated robust clinical activity with impressive immune-inflammatory modulating properties in phase II trials," said Scott Smith, President, I&I for Celgene. "Ozanimod is a highly differentiated next-generation S1P receptor modulator with important efficacy and safety features that create the opportunity for development across a spectrum of immune-inflammatory diseases."