Shire has entered into a definitive agreement with Servier to sell its Oncology business for $2.4 billion.  

Under the terms of the agreement, Servier has agreed to acquire Shire’s Oncology business for a total consideration of $2.4 billion, in cash, upon completion.  In 2017, the Oncology business generated revenues of $262 million. The total consideration represents a revenue multiple of 9.2 times 2017 revenues.  The transaction covers the transfer of Shire’s Oncology business including in-market products ONCASPAR® (pegaspargase), a component of multi-agent treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and ex-U.S. rights to ONIVYDE® (irinotecan pegylated liposomal formulation), a component of multi-agent treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer post gemcitabine-based therapy.  The portfolio also includes Calaspargase Pegol (Cal-PEG), which is under FDA review for the treatment of ALL, and early stage immuno-oncology pipeline collaborations.

The gross assets that are the subject of the transaction are approximately $1.6 billion and the profits attributable to the assets being transferred are approximately $140 million.

Flemming Ornskov, M.D., M.P.H., Shire chief executive officer, said, “This transaction is a key milestone for Shire, demonstrating the clear value embedded in our portfolio.  While the Oncology business has delivered high growth and profitability, we have concluded that it is not core to Shire’s longer-term strategy.  We will continue to evaluate our portfolio for opportunities to unlock further value and sharpen our focus on rare disease leadership with selective disposals of non-strategic assets”. 

Olivier Laureau, Servier Group president, said, “The acquisition of Shire’s oncology franchise enables Servier to meet its strategic ambitions to become a global key player in oncology. As an essential step in the evolution of the Group, this acquisition allows us to establish a direct commercial presence in the United States, the world’s leading pharmaceuticals market, and to strengthen our portfolio of marketed products in the territories where Servier is already present. Our goal is to bring these treatments to greater numbers of cancer patients around the world.  We thoroughly look forward to welcoming Shire’s oncology teams who will join Servier after the closing.”