Baxalta Inc. (formerly Baxter BioScience) has completed the acquisition of the ONCASPAR (pegaspargase) portfolio from Sigma-Tau Finanziaria S.p.A, for approximately $900 million. ONCASPAR, for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), is a novel investigational biologic calaspargase pegol, with a established global clinical and commercial resources.

ONCASPAR is a biologic cancer therapy used as a component of multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimens to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a rapidly progressing cancer of the white blood cells responsible for more than 80% of childhood leukemia cases. It’s primarily marketed in the U.S., Germany, Poland and certain other countries and is currently under review with the EMA. Annual sales of ONCASPAR are estimated at $100 million, with significant growth potential starting in 2016, with sales potential of at least $500 million.

“Our focus at Baxalta is building on our rich expertise and capabilities in orphan diseases and complex therapeutics to address significant unmet needs for patients with a variety of challenging diseases, including leukemia,” said Ludwig Hantson, chief executive officer and president, Baxalta. “With the addition of ONCASPAR, a very well recognized and effective component of standard chemotherapy, we’re now positioned to introduce innovation in areas where the community is still seeking meaningful new solutions.”