BioMarin snaps up Amicus Therapeutics for $4.8bn amid rare disease push

Core Viewpoint - BioMarin Pharmaceutical has agreed to acquire Amicus Therapeutics for $4.8 billion, enhancing its portfolio with therapies for lysosomal storage disorders [1] Group 1: Acquisition Details - BioMarin will pay $14.50 per share for Amicus, representing a 33% premium over Amicus' stock value of $10.89 on December 18 [1] - This acquisition is the largest in BioMarin's history and has resulted in a 17.71% increase in BioMarin's stock price, from $51.95 to $61.15 [2] Group 2: Acquired Therapies - The acquisition includes rights to Amicus' Fabry disease therapy, Galafold, which generated $458.1 million in 2024, an 18% increase from 2023 [2] - Galafold is the only FDA-approved chaperone therapy for Fabry disease and has market exclusivity until January 30, 2027, following a patent litigation with Teva Pharmaceuticals [3] - BioMarin will also acquire the FDA-approved Pompe disease combination therapy, Pombiliti plus Opfolda, which generated $22 million in 2024 [4][5] Group 3: Future Growth Strategy - BioMarin has been focusing on growth in the pharmaceutical sector, undergoing significant restructuring in 2024, which included laying off 225 employees [7] - The company has adopted a strong dealmaking strategy, signing 10 deals in 2025, the highest number since 2010 according to GlobalData's Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center [7] - BioMarin is also acquiring rights to the investigational oral small molecule DMX-200, currently in Phase III trials for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis [6]