On March 15, 2021 Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) reported that it has completed the acquisition of Viela Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIE) ("Viela") (Press release, Viela Bio, MAR 15, 2021, View Source [SID1234576664]).
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"The Viela acquisition provides multiple opportunities to drive long-term growth and solidify our future as an innovation-driven biotech company," said Tim Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Horizon. "With its deep, mid-stage biologics pipeline, strong R&D team and on-market medicine UPLIZNA, Viela is a strong complementary strategic fit with our pipeline, commercial portfolio and therapeutic areas of focus. It also gives us tremendous potential to make an even greater impact on the lives of people with rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases."
Strategic Rationale
Adds to commercial rare disease medicine portfolio with UPLIZNA (inebilizumab-cdon)
UPLIZNA is the first and only FDA-approved B-cell-depleting humanized monoclonal antibody for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a rare, severe, autoimmune disease that attacks the optic nerve, spinal cord and brain stem, which leads to loss of vision and paralysis, in adults who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive.
Strengthens current R&D capability by adding a team with early-stage research, translational and clinical development capabilities along with deep scientific knowledge in autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases.
Adds deep, mid-stage biologics pipeline focused primarily on autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases.
The current Viela pipeline includes four therapeutic candidates currently in nine development programs.
UPLIZNA
Phase 3 trials in myasthenia gravis, a chronic, rare autoimmune neuromuscular disease and in IgG4-related disease, a group of disorders marked by tumor-like swelling and fibrosis of affected organs.
Phase 2 trial for kidney transplant desensitization (paused due to COVID-19).
VIB4920
Investigational fusion protein designed to block a key co-stimulatory pathway involved in many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Phase 2b trial in Sjögren’s syndrome and Phase 2 trials for kidney transplant rejection and rheumatoid arthritis.
VIB7734
Investigational human monoclonal antibody designed to deplete plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), a cell type believed to be critical to the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases.
Phase 2 trial for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) expected to begin in the first half of 2021.
Phase 1 study for the treatment of COVID-19-related acute lung injury.
VIB1116
Monoclonal antibody for autoimmune diseases expected to begin Phase 1 first-in-human trial in mid-2021.
Transaction details
The acquisition was structured as a two-step cash tender offer for all the issued and outstanding shares of Viela common stock at a price of $53.00 per share. As of the expiration of the tender offer at one minute following 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 12, 2021, the depositary for the tender offer advised Horizon and Viela that stockholders holding approximately 94% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Viela had tendered their shares, satisfying the minimum condition to consummate the tender offer. All of the conditions to the offer have been satisfied and on March 13, 2021, Teiripic Merger Sub, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Horizon ("Purchaser"), accepted for payment and will promptly pay for all shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the tender offer.
Also, on March 15, 2021, following its acceptance of the tendered shares, Horizon completed its acquisition of Viela through the merger of Purchaser with and into Viela without a vote of Viela’s stockholders pursuant to Section 251(h) of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"). As a result of the merger, Viela became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Horizon. In connection with the merger, all Viela shares not validly tendered into the tender offer (other than shares owned by Viela, Horizon Therapeutics USA, Inc. ("Parent") or Purchaser or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Viela, Parent or Purchaser, which were cancelled and retired and ceased to exist, and no consideration delivered in exchange therefor) have been cancelled and (other than any shares held by holders who are entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL and who had properly exercised and perfected their respective demands for appraisal of such shares in the time and manner provided in Section 262 of the DGCL and, as of the effective time of the merger, had neither effectively withdrawn nor lost their rights to such appraisal and payment under the DGCL) converted into the right to receive the same $53.00 per share, net to the holder thereof, in cash, without interest, subject to any applicable withholding taxes, as will be paid for all shares that were validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in the tender offer. Viela common stock will cease to be traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Horizon anticipates the transaction will reduce its adjusted EBITDA by approximately $140 million in 2021, nearly all of which is attributable to increased R&D investment.
In addition, Elizabeth H.Z. Thompson, Ph.D., has been promoted to executive vice president, research and development and will lead the day-to-day operations for the Horizon pipeline. Jörn Drappa, M.D., Ph.D., has been named executive vice president, research and development and will lead the day-to-day operations for the Viela pipeline. Jörn was the former chief medical officer and head of research and development at Viela. Karin Rosén, M.D., Ph.D. is no longer with the company.
Information for UPLIZNA Patients
People living with NMOSD who are currently taking UPLIZNA should continue to work with their doctor and Viela VIPs representative. For immediate questions, the Viela VIPs team can be reached at 1-833-842-8477 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
Information for Health Care Professionals
Physicians can continue to communicate with their current Viela representative and use the Patient Referral Form available on VielaVIPs.com to prescribe UPLIZNA. Physicians who have medical questions related to UPLIZNA should call or email Viela Bio Medical Information at 1-855-558-4352 or [email protected].
Information for Infusion Centers
Infusion centers should continue to infuse patients as medically appropriate and work with their current Viela representative. If you have a question about the transition and would like to speak with someone from Horizon Patient Services, please call 1‐833‐469‐8331 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. ET.
About Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD)
NMOSD is a unifying term for neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and related syndromes. NMOSD is a rare, severe, relapsing, neuroinflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks the optic nerve, spinal cord and brain stem. Approximately 80% of all patients with NMOSD test positive for anti-AQP4 antibodies.
These AQP4 autoantibodies are produced by CD19+ B cells and bind primarily to astrocytes in the central nervous system. Binding of AQP4 antibodies to central and peripheral nervous system cells is believed to trigger attacks, which can damage the optic nerve, spinal cord and brain. Loss of vision, paralysis, loss of sensation, bladder and bowel dysfunction, nerve pain and respiratory failure can all be manifestations of the disease. Each NMOSD attack can lead to further damage and disability. NMOSD occurs more commonly in women and may be more common in individuals of African and Asian descent.
About UPLIZNA
INDICATION
UPLIZNA is indicated for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
UPLIZNA is contraindicated in patients with:
A history of life-threatening infusion reaction to UPLIZNA
Active hepatitis B infection
Active or untreated latent tuberculosis
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Infusion Reactions: UPLIZNA can cause infusion reactions, which can include headache, nausea, somnolence, dyspnea, fever, myalgia, rash or other symptoms. Infusion reactions were most common with the first infusion but were also observed during subsequent infusions. Administer pre-medication with a corticosteroid, an antihistamine and an anti-pyretic.
Infections: The most common infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated patients in the randomized and open-label periods included urinary tract infection (20%), nasopharyngitis (13%), upper respiratory tract infection (8%) and influenza (7%). Delay UPLIZNA administration in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved.
Increased immunosuppressive effects are possible if combining UPLIZNA with another immunosuppressive therapy.
The risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation has been observed with other B-cell-depleting antibodies. Perform HBV screening in all patients before initiation of treatment with UPLIZNA. Do not administer to patients with active hepatitis.
Although no confirmed cases of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) were identified in UPLIZNA clinical trials, JC virus infection resulting in PML has been observed in patients treated with other B-cell-depleting antibodies and other therapies that affect immune competence. At the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML, withhold UPLIZNA and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation.
Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis risk factors and tested for latent infection prior to initiating UPLIZNA.
Vaccination with live-attenuated or live vaccines is not recommended during treatment and after discontinuation, until B-cell repletion. Reduction in Immunoglobulins: There may be a progressive and prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia or decline in the levels of total and individual immunoglobulins such as immunoglobulins G and M (IgG and IgM) with continued UPLIZNA treatment. Monitor the level of immunoglobulins at the beginning, during, and after discontinuation of treatment with UPLIZNA until B-cell repletion especially in patients with opportunistic or recurrent infections.
Fetal Risk: May cause fetal harm based on animal data. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use an effective method of contraception during treatment and for 6 months after stopping UPLIZNA.
Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (at least 10% of patients treated with UPLIZNA and greater than placebo) were urinary tract infection and arthralgia.