Ipsen to Acquire Albireo for $952 Million

French drugmaker Ipsen plans to acquire Cambridge-based Albireo in a deal worth about $952 million. Albierio is developing bile-acid modulators to treat pediatric and adult cholestatic liver diseases. The company was spun out from AstraZeneca in 2008 and is headquartered in Massachusetts, with its key operating subsidiary in Gothenburg, Sweden. The anticipated acquisition will enrich Ipsen’s Rare Disease portfolio and pipeline.

The lead medicine in Albireo’s pipeline is Bylvay (odevixibat) which was approved in 2021 in the U.S. for the treatment of pruritus in patients three months of age and older with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), and in the E.U. for the treatment of PFIC in patients aged six months or older.  Bylvay has orphan exclusivity for the approved indications in PFIC in the U.S. and E.U.

“We are excited about the potential of Albireo’s assets and scientific expertise, which we gain through this acquisition, and we believe this is a compelling growth opportunity for Ipsen.” said David Loew, Chief Executive Officer of Ipsen. “Our Rare Disease franchise is strengthened with Bylvay, which, in addition to being the first-approved treatment in PFIC, has two further indications being investigated in rare liver conditions that are underserved. Additionally, Bylvay and the clinical and preclinical novel bile acid transport inhibitors in Albireo’s portfolio complement our own pipeline in liver disease.”

As part of the transaction, Ipsen will also acquire Albireo’s clinical stage asset A3907, a novel oral systemic apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) inhibitor currently in development for adult cholestatic liver disease, which could complement Ipsen´s existing development programs. In addition to Bylvay and A3907, Albireo’s pipeline includes A2342, an oral systemic sodium-taurocholate co-transporting peptide (NTCP) inhibitor being evaluated for viral and cholestatic diseases, which is moving ahead in investigational new drug (IND)-enabling trials. (Source: Alberio Website, 09 January 2023)