AbbVie entered a definitive agreement to acquire Cerevel Therapeutics and its neuroscience pipeline of multiple clinical-stage and preclinical candidates with potential across schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and mood disorders, approximately $8.7 billion. The acquisition complements AbbVie’s neuroscience portfolio, adding a wide range of potentially best-in-class assets that may transform standards of care across psychiatric and neurological disorders where significant unmet needs remain for patients.
 
This transaction, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close mid-2024.
 
Cerevel’s late-stage asset emraclidine, a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the muscarinic M4 receptor, is a potential best-in-class, next-generation antipsychotic that may be effective in treating schizophrenia. In addition, emraclidine has potential in dementia-related psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease and PD. 
 
Cerevel’s assets in clinical development include Tavapadon, a first-in-class dopamine D1/D5 selective partial agonist for the management of PD, currently in Phase 3 studies;  CVL-354, a kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist with potential to provide improved efficacy and tolerability compared to existing treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD), currently in Phase 1; and Darigabat, an alpha 2/3/5 selective GABAA receptor PAM for treatment-resistant epilepsy and panic disorder, currently in Phase 2.
 
“Our existing neuroscience portfolio and our combined pipeline with Cerevel represents a significant growth opportunity well into the next decade,” said Richard A. Gonzalez, chairman and chief executive officer, AbbVie. “AbbVie will leverage its deep commercial capabilities, international infrastructure, and regulatory and clinical expertise to deliver substantial shareholder value with multibillion-dollar sales potential across Cerevel’s portfolio of assets.”
 
“Cerevel has always been committed to transforming what is possible in neuroscience. With AbbVie’s long-standing expertise in developing and commercializing medicines on a global scale, Cerevel’s novel therapies will be well positioned to reach more people living with neuroscience diseases,” said Ron Renaud, president and chief executive officer, Cerevel Therapeutics.