AstraZeneca entered a definitive agreement to acquire Amolyt Pharma, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for rare endocrine diseases, for a total consideration of up to $1.05 billion, including $800 million upfront plus an additional contingent payment of $250 million based on a specified regulatory milestone.
 
The proposed acquisition will bolster the Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease late-stage pipeline and expand on its bone metabolism franchise with the addition of eneboparatide (AZP-3601), a Phase III investigational therapeutic peptide with a novel mechanism of action designed to meet key therapeutic goals for hypoparathyroidism. 
 
Subject to customary closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
 
In patients with hypoparathyroidism, a deficiency in parathyroid hormone (PTH) production results in significant dysregulation of calcium and phosphate, which can lead to life-altering symptoms and complications, including chronic kidney disease. It is one of the largest known rare diseases, affecting an estimated 115,000 people in the U.S. and 107,000 people in the EU, approximately 80% of whom are women.
 
Marc Dunoyer, Chief Executive Officer, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, said, “Chronic hypoparathyroid patients face a significant need for an alternative to current supportive therapies, which do not address the underlying hormone deficiency. As leaders in rare disease, Alexion is uniquely positioned to drive the late-stage development and global commercialization of eneboparatide. We believe this program, together with Amolyt’s talented team, expertise and earlier pipeline, will enable our expansion into rare endocrinology.”
 
Thierry Abribat, Chief Executive Officer, Amolyt Pharma, said, “We enthusiastically welcome the proposed acquisition of Amolyt by AstraZeneca, an organisation that shares our dedication to delivering life-changing treatments to people living with rare diseases. This agreement offers the opportunity to meaningfully advance our pipeline therapies. Strong Phase II data suggest eneboparatide has the potential to improve outcomes for patients and to shift the treatment paradigm for hypoparathyroidism, and we look forward to seeing the continued advancement of the Phase III trial.”