Ono Pharmaceutical Acquires Deciphera Pharmaceuticals for ~$2.4B

Veracyte Acquires Decipher Biosciences

February 3, 2021

Biotechnology

Veracyte, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Decipher Biosciences, a commercial-stage precision oncology company focused on urologic cancers, for $600 million in total consideration ($250 million cash and up to $350 million in stock). The acquisition expands Veracyte’s genomic cancer diagnostics menu, adds Decipher’s commercial tests and data assets, and is expected to accelerate revenue growth and global market reach.

Novo Nordisk Acquires Dicerna Pharmaceuticals

November 18, 2021

Biotechnology

Novo Nordisk agreed to acquire Dicerna Pharmaceuticals for $38.25 per share, representing an enterprise equity value of approximately $3.3 billion, to expand its RNAi capabilities. The acquisition builds on a 2019 research collaboration and brings Dicerna's GalXC RNAi platform and pipeline into Novo Nordisk to accelerate development of RNAi therapeutics across cardiometabolic, liver and rare disease indications. The tender offer completed in December 2021 and Dicerna is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Novo Nordisk.

Chimerix Acquires Oncoceutics

January 7, 2021

Biotechnology

Chimerix (NASDAQ: CMRX) acquired clinical-stage Oncoceutics, gaining the late-stage oncology candidate ONC201 to expand its oncology pipeline. The deal closed January 7, 2021, for $78 million (half stock, half cash) plus potential milestones and royalties.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals to Acquire Remaining Stake in Akcea Therapeutics

August 31, 2020

Biotechnology

Ionis Pharmaceuticals agreed to acquire the approximately 24% of Akcea Therapeutics it does not already own for $18.15 per share in cash, implying a fully diluted transaction value of about $500 million. The deal will be executed via a tender offer followed by a second-step merger, and Ionis expects to complete the transaction in Q4 2020 to consolidate Akcea's pipeline, commercial products and cash while realizing cost synergies.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Acquires Jnana Therapeutics

August 1, 2024

Biotechnology

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. will acquire clinical-stage biotech Jnana Therapeutics, making it a wholly owned subsidiary via Otsuka America, Inc. The deal values Jnana at $800 million in upfront cash plus up to $325 million in development and regulatory milestones and is intended to add Jnana's RAPID chemoproteomics platform and lead program JNT-517 (a potential oral PKU therapy) to Otsuka's specialty and autoimmune pipeline.

Merck & Co. Acquires Cidara Therapeutics

January 8, 2026

Biotechnology

Merck & Co., through subsidiary Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, completed a cash tender offer to acquire Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. for $221.50 per share, making Cidara a wholly owned subsidiary. The acquisition adds Cidara's long-acting antiviral candidate CD388 to Merck's respiratory portfolio and is being accounted for as an asset acquisition.