Mercer East's $1.25 billion acquisition of Afferent Pharma

a final deal has been reached after US pharmaceutical giant Merck and Co announced a $1.25bn takeover of Afferent Pharma. The deal is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.
Afferent Pharma is a privately held biopharmaceutical company that develops therapeutic candidates targeting P2X3 receptors for the treatment of common, poorly managed neurogenic diseases. The company's lead compound, AF-219, is a selective, non-anaesthetic, oral-given P2X3 antagonist that is currently being treated in a Phase IIb clinical treatment for refractic chronic cough, or chronic cough, which is also used in a Phase IIa clinical treatment for idiogenic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) cough.
P2X3 is thought to play a key role in the sensitivity of specific sensory nerves, which are activated by ATP-mediated under pathological conditions. Compounds developed by Afferent Pharma are designed to selectively block atTP activation of the P2X3 channel, potentially reducing a range of sensory signs and symptoms.
Mercerton said Afferent Pharma pioneered the clinical development of innovative drugs that selectively target P2X3 receptors, an exciting area of research, and Mercerton looked forward to advancing these innovative candidates to meet the significant unsolvent medical needs of chronic cough groups.
agreement, Mercadon will pay $500 million in cash through its subsidiaries to acquire all outstanding shares of Afferent Pharma. In addition, Afferent Pharma shareholders will be eligible for milestones totalling $750 million related to the clinical development and commercialization of multiple adaptations and multiple preferred drugs, including AF-219.
In the United States, the incidence of chronic cough (long cough, coughing for more than 8 weeks) is about 10% in the adult population, and up to 40% of patients have no exact underlying cause, and these patients have no relief from conventional treatment. Currently, no drugs have been approved for the treatment of chronic cough. (Bio Valley)