The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that U.S.-based pharmaceutical company Amgen is in advanced talks to acquire leading biopharmaceutical firm Horizon Therapeutics. The deal could be valued at well over $20 billion and might become the largest M&A in the healthcare sector this year.
Informed sources said that Amgen is the last company participating in the bidding for Horizon Therapeutics after French pharmaceutical company Sanofi announced on December 11 that it would withdraw from the bidding following Johnson & Johnson. If the negotiations do not break down, the deal may be finalized before December 12.
Horizon Therapeutics plc, headquartered in Ireland, develops drugs for rare autoimmune diseases and severe inflammation, with its products primarily sold in the U.S. Its leading intravenous drug, Tepezza, is used to treat thyroid eye disease.