Biogen will acquire Apellis Pharmaceuticals for approximately US$5.6 billion.
The acquisition is expected to enhance Biogen’s short- and long-term revenue growth profile by adding two commercialised differentiated immunology and rare disease medicines to its growth portfolio: Syfovre for the treatment of in geographic atrophy secondary to age related macular degeneration, and Empaveli for the treatment of rare immune-mediated kidney diseases.
Apellis brings an established US sales infrastructure and capabilities, including in nephrology, that Biogen believes will accelerate and strengthen Biogen’s commercial readiness for felzartamab, which is currently in Phase 3 studies for three kidney diseases with the first trial readout expected in the first half of 2027. Upon closing, Biogen expects a significant proportion of Apellis employees to join the company. Biogen will continue to work with Sobi, which retains commercial rights to Empaveli (Aspaveli in the EU) outside the U.S.
“Consistent with our strategy, this acquisition immediately advances Biogen’s ongoing transformation. The addition of Apellis expands our growth portfolio in immunology and rare disease with two approved, best-in-class medicines that complement our existing portfolio and bolsters our near-and long-term growth potential,” said Christopher A. Viehbacher, Biogen’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to welcoming Apellis employees to Biogen. We believe our combined capabilities and experience will allow us to maximize the potential of Syfovre and Empaveli and, while Apellis’ talent, expertise and field capabilities will further strengthen Biogen, deepening the foundation for our growing nephrology franchise with felzartamab and serving many more patients with immune-mediated retinal disease.”
“I am incredibly proud of the Apellis team and what we have achieved, including bringing two transformational medicines – Syfovre and Empaveli – to patients and building an innovative pipeline leveraging our deep expertise in complement science,” said Cedric Francois, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Apellis. “With Biogen’s extensive experience with immunology and rare disease, we believe this transaction will accelerate our impact and enable us to reach more patients. This transaction represents a compelling outcome for our shareholders and a strong validation of our strategy, scientific innovation, and execution.”
