Amgen Acquires Rights to Celgene’s Otezla

Amgen has entered into an agreement with Celgene Corp., in connection with its previously announced merger with Bristol-Myers Squibb, to acquire worldwide rights to Otezla (apremilast), the only oral, non-biologic treatment for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and certain related assets and liabilities, for $13.4 billion in cash. Amgen believes that the acquisition is a strong strategic fit with its inflammation franchise offering a differentiated, oral therapy, along with Otezla’s sales growth potential over the next five years. Sales of Otezla in 2018 were $1.6 billion.  

“The acquisition of Otezla offers a unique opportunity for Amgen to provide patients an innovative oral therapy for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis that fits squarely within our portfolio and complements our Enbrel® and AMGEVITA® brands,” said Robert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer at Amgen. “We will take advantage of our 20 years of experience in inflammatory disease to realize the full global potential of Otezla as an affordable option for patients with these serious, chronic inflammatory conditions.” 

Otezla is currently approved for three indications in the U.S., patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy; adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis; and adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s Disease. Otezla is approved in more than 50 markets outside the U.S., including the European Union and Japan, and has patent exclusivity through at least 2028 in the U.S.