Horizon Pharma buys Raptor Pharmaceutical for $ 800 million

Irish biopharmaceutical company Horizon Pharma Plc has acquired the US-based Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp for $800 million. Raptor Pharmaceutical is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of transformative therapeutics for rare, debilitating and often fatal diseases. 

"The proposed acquisition of Raptor furthers our commitment to helping people with rare diseases and is a significant step in advancing our strategy to expand our rare disease business. Along with the potential for accelerated revenue growth, the addition of Raptor strengthens our US orphan business and provides a platform to expand our orphan business in Europe and other key international markets,” said Timothy Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Horizon Pharma Plc.  

The deal will strengthen Horizon Pharma’s focus on rare diseases and expand its operations in Europe and other international markets. It will add Procysbi delayed-release capsules and Quinsair (aerosolised form of levofloxacin) global rights, with Procysbi having strong patent protection through 2034. Acquisition will help Horizon to diversify revenue with 11 medicines across three business units - orphan, rheumatology and primary care.

Procysbi is the first cystine-depleting agent given every 12 hours for the treatment of nephropathic cystinosis (NC), a rare metabolic disorder, in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Quinsair is a proprietary inhaled formulation of levofloxacin, approved in the European Union and Canada for the management of chronic pulmonary infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in adult patients with cystic fibrosis - a rare, life-threatening, genetic disease. Quinsair is not approved in the United States.

Raptor's previously disclosed total net sales guidance for full-year 2016 is $125 million to $135 million, which includes both Procysbi and Quinsair.