The Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Holding AG said it will buy the American Anadys Pharmaceuticals for 230 million dollars. The Basel giant will pay $3,70 per share, a premium of 256% compared to the value at which Anadys stock closed on Wall Street on Friday ($1,04 per share).
Roche's goal is to enhance its range of medicines against hepatitis C. In fact, Anadys is experimenting with a pill, to be taken orally, Setrobuvir, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infections. The Swiss company is therefore aiming to extend its core business, the oncology one, and experiment with the hepatitis market.
"This acquisition enhances our already strong hepatitis portfolio," said Jean-Jacques Garaud, research director at Roche. "Our goal is to offer physicians and hepatitis patients an effective combination of therapies that will bring us closer to a cure, perhaps even without the use of interferons."
Roche last week reported disappointing results for its third quarter, below analysts' estimates. Sales were down 14% year over year, to $11 billion.
