A management-led syndicate of prominent investors acquired a majority stake in Histosonics Inc. that values the company at approximately $2.25 billion. The funding will support expansion of the Edison Histotripsy system and therapy platform into new clinical indications and markets. Edison uses non-invasive focused ultrasound energy to destroy tumors.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported Aug. 6 that it will try to block Edwards Lifesciences Corp.’s proposed acquisition of Jenavalve because Edwards’ acquisition of both Jenavalve Technology Inc. and JC Medical would eliminate competition in the TAVR space for aortic regurgitation.
Quantumpharm Inc., known as Xtalpi Inc., announced receiving $51 million up front from a potential $5.99 billion deal with Dovetree LLC on Aug. 6. The collaboration, first inked through a letter of intent between the two parties on June 23, will combine Shenzhen, China-based Xtalpi’s AI-based and robotics-driven discovery platform with Dovetree’s “biological insights.” The goal will be to select and validate potential first-in-class candidates for Dovetree across five areas of oncology, immunology and inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders and metabolic dysregulation.
Bio-Techne Corp. plans to sell its Exosome Diagnostics Inc. business to Mdxhealth SA for $15 million plus royalty payments, a steep cut from the $250 million the company paid to acquire Exodx in 2018. Mdxhealth estimates the unit will generate $20 million in revenue in 2026.
Alcon AG agreed to acquire Staar Surgical Co. in a $1.5 billion cash transaction that would add Staar’s Evo implantable Collamer lenses (ICL) to treat myopia to the vision giant’s portfolio. Alcon will pay $28 per share, a 59% premium on Staar’s 90-day volume-weighted average price and a 51% premium on the Aug. 4 closing price of its shares (Nasdaq: STAA).
Olympus Corp.’s “active investment” in endoluminal robotics has materialized in a new joint venture med-tech called Swan Endosurgical Inc., with Revival Healthcare Capital LLC.
Lepu Biopharma Co. Ltd. has out-licensed two preclinical T-cell engagers to Shanghai-based newco Excalipoint in a deal worth $857.5 million plus equity interest. Under the deal terms, Excalipoint gains an exclusive global license to CTM-012 and CTM-013, developed by Lepu’s Topabody T-cell engager platform. In exchange, Lepu will receive $10 million up front and up to $847.5 million in development and commercial-based milestones, plus tiered royalties on sales.
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s long-awaited business development pact became reality by way of an exclusive global license agreement that could be worth more than $2 billion with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd., of Shijiazhuang, China, for SYH-2086. The candidate is a preclinical oral, small-molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and orforglipron derivative.
Good news bracketed July for Teleflex Inc. as it completed the acquisition of the vascular intervention business of Berlin-based Biotronik SE & Co. for €760 million (US$879 million) on July 1 and released stronger-than-expected second quarter results on the closing day of the month. Both bode well for the company as it proceeds through a thorough restructuring announced in February.
Lepu Biopharma Co. Ltd. has out-licensed two preclinical T-cell engagers to Shanghai-based newco Excalipoint in a deal worth $857.5 million plus equity interest. Under the deal terms, Excalipoint gains an exclusive global license to CTM-012 and CTM-013, developed by Lepu’s Topabody T-cell engager platform. In exchange, Lepu will receive $10 million up front and up to $847.5 million in development and commercial-based milestones, plus tiered royalties on sales.