Elkem's US $1.695 billion acquisition of tobira to strengthen gastroenterology pipeline

Source: Biovalley 2016-09-21 recently, pharmaceutical giant Erjian said that it would purchase tobira therapeutics, an American pharmaceutical company, for us $1.695 billion to strengthen its gastroenterology research and development pipeline Tobira therapeutics, headquartered in South San Francisco, specializes in the research, development and commercialization of drugs for nonalcoholic fatty liver (NASH) and other liver diseases With the acquisition of tobira therapeutics, Elgin was able to obtain two candidate drugs for the company's treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver, ceniriviroc (CVC) and evogliptin, as well as drugs for liver diseases, which can greatly strengthen Elgin's gastroenterology business Cenitriviroc (CVC) is a first-ever, once daily, powerful immunomodulator, which is in the stage of quasi III clinical trials It can block CCR2 and CCR5 chemokine receptors Both chemokines are involved in the inflammatory and fibrotic process of the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver A phase IIB clinical trial called Centaur showed that ceniriviroc (CVC) could significantly prevent the process of liver fibrosis during one year's treatment Brent Saunders, CEO of Elgin, said that after the acquisition of tobira, Elgin will be able to have cenicriviroc, a potentially powerful drug for the treatment of NASH In addition, Elgin will also focus on other drugs in different research and development stages in this field, so as to enhance the R & D strength of Elgin in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver Evogliptin, an oral DPP-4 inhibitor, is in phase I clinical trials, and its safety, tolerance and steady-state pharmacokinetic data are being verified David Nicholson, Elgin's chief research and development director, said that the treatment of NAFLD requires a number of areas of approach, because the pathogenesis of the disease is very complex At present, the research and development of Erjian focuses on gastroenterology, central nervous system diseases, eye care, medical beauty and skin diseases, women's health care, urinary diseases and infectious diseases According to the terms of the transaction, Elgin will pay US $28.35 per share in cash in advance in the early stage and US $49.84 per share in mileage in the later stage At present, the board of directors of the two companies have unanimously approved the deal, and the acquisition will be completed by the end of this year