The two companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Teva will commence a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Auspex at US$101.00 per share in cash.

The merger is expected to enhance Teva’s revenue and earnings growth profile and strengthen its core central nervous system (CNS) franchise with the addition of Auspex’s portfolio of novel medicines for movement disorders.

Auspex’s leading investigational product, SD-809 (deutetrabenazine), which leverages Auspex’s deuterium technology platform is being developed for the potential treatment of chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, tardive dyskinesia and Tourette syndrome, with a pharmacokinetic profile that allows for lower doses resulting in a favourable safety profile.

An estimated 30,000 people in the US suffer from Huntington’s disease, 350,000 from tardive dyskinesia and 150,000 from Tourette syndrome.

In 2014, Auspex reported positive results from its phase III clinical trial for SD-809 in Huntington’s disease, with plans to submit a new drug application to the US Food and Drug Administration for this indication by mid-2015. The company is also carrying out phase I studies of SD-809 for Tourette syndrome.

Auspex also has SD-560 (deuterated pirfenidone) in development for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and has also identified additional candidates from its deuterium chemistry platform that are aligned with Teva’s strategy.

Teva expects to be able to accelerate the development and commercialization of the Auspex portfolio based on Teva’s existing infrastructure, capabilities and strong commercial and R & D position in CNS.

This latest merger marks a long line of acquisitions by the world largest generics maker, including German generics maker Ratiopharm in 2010 [1], women’s health business Theramex, Japan’s third largest generics manufacturer and biopharmaceuticals maker Cephalon in 2011 [2], respiratory specialist MicroDose in 2013, and CNS specialists NuPathe and Labrys Biologics in 2014.

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References
1.   GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Teva increases it global position with acquisition of Ratiopharm [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2015 Apr 10]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Pharma-News/Teva-increases-its-global-position-with-acquisition-of-Ratiopharm 
2.   GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Teva grabs biopharmaceutical company Cephalon [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2015 Apr 10]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Teva-grabs-biopharmaceutical-company-Cephalon 

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