Asahi Kasei Acquires Calliditas Therapeutics

UCB Acquires Candid Therapeutics

May 3, 2026

Biotechnology

UCB has agreed to acquire Candid Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on T-cell engagers for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, for up to $2.2 billion including $2.0 billion upfront. Two River and Vida Ventures, part of the Bellco Health ecosystem, highlighted their roles in founding and early development of Candid following the announced acquisition.

Asahi Kasei to Acquire Aicuris Anti-infective Cures AG

February 26, 2026

Pharmaceuticals

Asahi Kasei entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aicuris Anti-infective Cures AG, a German biopharmaceutical company, for approximately €780 million. The acquisition is designed to expand Asahi Kasei’s specialty pharmaceutical platform into severe infectious diseases and to complement its existing transplant and nephrology franchises. A second article reports Asahi Kasei completed the acquisition.

Merck & Co. (Merck Sharp & Dohme) Acquires Cidara Therapeutics

January 8, 2026

Biotechnology

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC (Merck & Co., Inc.) completed its cash tender offer and follow-on merger to acquire Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. for $221.50 per share, valuing the deal at about $9.2 billion. The acquisition adds Cidara’s late-stage, long-acting, strain-agnostic influenza antiviral candidate CD388 to Merck’s respiratory pipeline.

Kyowa Kirin Acquires Orchard Therapeutics

October 5, 2023

Biotechnology

Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. agreed to acquire Orchard Therapeutics plc for $16.00 per ADS in cash plus a $1.00 contingent value right (CVR), representing a potential total equity value of approximately $477.6 million. The acquisition gives Kyowa Kirin a leading HSC gene therapy platform and commercial asset Libmeldy, accelerating development and commercialization of Orchard's rare-disease gene therapies.

Asahi Kasei Medical to Acquire Bionova Scientific

April 14, 2022

Healthcare Services

Asahi Kasei Medical, through a U.S. subsidiary, has agreed to wholly acquire Bionova Scientific, LLC, a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical CDMO providing contract process development and GMP-compliant contract manufacturing services. The acquisition will add CDMO capabilities to Asahi Kasei Medical’s existing bioprocess business and broaden know-how-driven services for next-generation antibody drugs.

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.