UCB Pharma has entered an agreement to acquire Ra Pharmaceuticals in deal valued at $2.5 billion. The acquisition will add zilucoplan, a Phase III candidate to potentially compete with Alexion’s Soliris, a monoclonal antibody for the treatment of rare chronic blood disorders, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Soliris had sales of nearly $3.6 billion in 2018.
 
Ra’s zilucoplan is a once-daily, self-administered, subcutaneous C5 inhibitor in Phase III development for myasthenia gravis.

UCB also has a Phase III myasthenia gravis candidate with a different mechanism of action, and zilucoplan complements the company’s growth plan. UCB expects the acquisition to close by the end of 1Q20.