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AbbVie to Acquire Apogee Therapeutics in $10.9 Billion Deal

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AbbVie to Acquire Apogee Therapeutics in $10.9 Billion Deal

AbbVie (ABBV) has agreed to acquire Apogee Therapeutics (APGE) in an all-cash deal worth about $10.9 billion, as the drugmaker looks to strengthen its immunology portfolio and accelerate its clinical presence in the respiratory segment.

AbbVie will pay $135.11 a share in cash for Apogee, the companies said in a joint statement Monday. Apogee's shares surged by about 47% in Monday trading, while AbbVie gained 3.7%.

The transaction will give AbbVie access to Apogee's portfolio of clinical-stage candidates currently in development for the treatment of inflammatory and immunological diseases, including atopic dermatitis and asthma.

The company's lead candidate, zumilokibart, for atopic dermatitis showed "clinically significant results" in a phase 2 trial. Apogee is also developing APG273, a combination of zumilokibart with the thymic stromal lymphopoietin-blocking antibody APG333, for patients with asthma.

"The acquisition of Apogee further builds on our existing leadership, strengthening our ability to deliver innovative medicines to patients who need better options while also creating significant long-term value for shareholders," AbbVie Chief Executive Robert Michael said in a statement. "Apogee's pipeline adds highly differentiated clinical-stage assets, further expanding our robust immunology portfolio."

The deal, which requires approval from regulators and clearance from Apogee's shareholders, is expected to close in the third quarter. AbbVie said the acquisition will be accretive to its adjusted earnings per share starting in 2032.

"This transaction reflects the strength of Apogee's vision, our team's dedication and the significant progress we've made advancing zumilokibart and our differentiated pipeline," Apogee CEO Michael Henderson said. "This transaction delivers substantial shareholder value and positions our programs to reach their full potential."

In May, Apogee reported a first-quarter net loss of $74.1 million, compared with a loss of $55.3 million a year earlier. In the same month, the company announced a strategic financing collaboration with Blackstone (BX) Life Sciences for up to $1.3 billion to support the clinical development and potential commercialization of zumilokibart.

AbbVie raised its full-year outlook in April as the biopharmaceutical company recorded better-than-expected first-quarter results.

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