Ad-hoc-Mitteilung gemäss Art. 53 KR Die exklusive Lizenzvereinbarung umfasst eine Vorauszahlung in Höhe von 40 Millionen US-Dollar, bestehend aus 30 Millionen US-Dollar in bar und einer Kapitalbeteiligung in Höhe von 10 Millionen US-Dollar zu einem Preis von 14,91 CHF pro Aktie, was einem Aufschlag von 20 % auf den 30-Tage-VWAP entspricht. Pratteln, Schweiz, 8. Januar 2026 – Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) gibt bekannt, dass es eine exklusive Lizenzvereinbarung mit Nxera Pharma UK Ltd. (“Nxera”) über d ...

Core Viewpoint - Nxera Pharma is seeking buyers for its Phase II-ready schizophrenia program after Boehringer Ingelheim opted not to exercise its licensing option, which has led to a decline in Nxera's share price despite no immediate financial impact from the decision [1][2][3]. Group 1: Licensing and Financial Implications - Boehringer Ingelheim held exclusive rights to Nxera's GPR52 agonist portfolio but has chosen not to proceed, reverting rights back to Nxera [1][3]. - Nxera received €25 million upfront from Boehringer in a deal established in 2024, with potential future payments totaling up to €670 million and royalties for any approved products [3]. - Analysts from Citi noted that Boehringer's decision was viewed negatively, as there were expectations for a significant deal in 2025-2026 [3]. Group 2: Program Status and Future Plans - Nxera is exploring strategic opportunities for the GPR52 agonist program, including potential licensing partnerships with major pharmaceutical or specialist neuroscience companies by 2026 [2]. - The lead compound NXE0048149 has shown positive Phase I results, indicating engagement with brain circuitry relevant to schizophrenia treatment, and is now Phase II ready [5]. - Nxera's CEO emphasized the program's potential despite the setback with Boehringer, highlighting its first-in-class approach to treating major symptoms of schizophrenia [6]. Group 3: Workforce and Company Challenges - Nxera has faced challenges recently, including workforce reductions, with plans to cut 15% of its staff to meet profitability targets [7]. - The company had a total workforce of 384 employees as of the end of September, primarily located in the UK and Japan [7].

Core Insights - The global interest in China's biopharma sector is driven by the lower costs of early clinical programs compared to the US and Europe, with expectations for increased dealmaking between China and the West as 2026 approaches [1][2] Group 1: Deal Trends and Values - There has been a significant rise in high-value deals between the West and China, with 20 transactions exceeding $500 million in 2023 alone [2] - Major deals in 2025 include Novartis's $5.36 billion agreement with Argo Biopharmaceutical, AstraZeneca's $5.3 billion deal with CSPC Pharmaceutical, and Zenas Biopharma's $2 billion agreement with InnoCare Pharma [2] - Chinese innovator drug licensing deals accounted for 28% of the innovator deals signed by large pharma in 2024, totaling $41.5 billion in value [3] Group 2: R&D and Therapeutic Focus - Western companies are increasingly seeking partnerships with Chinese biotech firms to enhance their pipelines with cost-effective therapies, particularly in oncology, immunology, and cardiometabolic health [4] - The rapid growth of China's clinical trial ecosystem has positioned the country as a leader in global study initiations in 2024 [5] - China is shifting from a reputation for generic drug manufacturing to developing innovative therapies, capturing global pharmaceutical attention [6] Group 3: Oncology and Innovative Therapies - Oncology remains a focal point for licensing agreements, with significant deals from companies like AbbVie, Pfizer, and GSK [9] - Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) developed in China are particularly appealing to Western dealmakers due to their innovative potential [10] - Next-generation biologics, including ADCs, bispecifics, and cell and gene therapies, are driving interest from investors and large pharmaceutical companies [11] Group 4: Future Outlook and Strategic Shifts - Immunology is expected to remain a key area of focus in 2026, alongside a rise in cardiometabolic deals targeting the obesity market [13] - The BIOSECURE Act could impact interactions between Western and Chinese companies, but industry leaders express confidence in the resilience of innovation-driven strategies [14][16] - Some Chinese companies are exploring self-commercialization strategies, although most will likely continue to rely on licensing deals in the near term due to a lack of global market experience [18][19]

Core Insights - Amarin's shares surged 27.3% following the announcement of an exclusive long-term licensing agreement with Recordati to commercialize its drug Vazkepa across 59 EU countries [1][6]. Licensing Agreement Details - The agreement grants Recordati exclusive rights to market Vazkepa in Europe, with Amarin receiving an upfront payment of $25 million and potential milestone payments of up to $150 million based on sales targets [4][6]. - Amarin expects to achieve approximately $70 million in cost savings over the next 12 months as part of a strategy to enhance growth and reduce operational costs [3][7]. Product and Market Context - Vazkepa is approved in the EU for treating severe hypertriglyceridemia and reducing cardiovascular event risks, similar to its approval in the U.S. under the name Vascepa [2]. - The drug is protected by patents until 2039 in the EU, which supports its market expansion efforts [3]. Financial Position and Growth Strategy - The licensing deal strengthens Amarin's cash position, with nearly $300 million in cash and no debt as of March-end [7]. - The partnership with Recordati is expected to enhance Amarin's financial strength and accelerate its path to positive cash flow through new revenue opportunities [7][8]. Industry Position - Amarin's stock has increased by 65.3% year-to-date, contrasting with a 4.2% decline in the industry [5]. - Recordati's established cardiovascular portfolio, which includes treatments for hypertension and heart failure, positions it well to expand the reach of Vazkepa [8].

Core Insights - Insiders' stock purchases can signal confidence in a company's future prospects, potentially influencing other investors' decisions [1][2] Company Overview - Summit Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech company with a market capitalization of $20 billion, which is notably high for a company without any products on the market [4] - The company's leading candidate, ivonescimab, has shown promising results, outperforming Merck's Keytruda in a phase 3 clinical trial for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [4][5] Recent Developments - On April 8, 2023, co-CEOs Robert Duggan and Maky Zanganeh exercised warrants to purchase nearly 4 million shares each at $1.58 per share, indicating their confidence in the company's future [3][4] - The fast-track designation from the U.S. FDA for ivonescimab in NSCLC highlights the drug's potential to address significant unmet medical needs [5] Drug Potential - Ivonescimab is undergoing multiple late-stage studies in the U.S. and has the potential to target various cancer indications, similar to Keytruda [6] - The drug was licensed from Akeso, a China-based biopharma, allowing Summit to market it in key regions like the U.S. and Europe [7] Leadership and Strategy - The leadership's ability to license a potentially blockbuster drug reflects positively on the company's strategic direction and management capabilities [8]

Core Viewpoint - Merck has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals for the development and marketing of HRS-5346, an investigational oral small-molecule Lipoprotein(a) inhibitor [1][2]. Group 1: Licensing Deal Details - Merck will acquire global rights (excluding Greater China) for HRS-5346, paying an upfront cash payment of $200 million and up to $1.77 billion in milestone payments, along with royalties on future sales [2][3]. - The deal is expected to close in the second quarter, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals [3]. Group 2: Health Implications - Elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a) are a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, affecting approximately 1.4 billion people globally [4]. Group 3: Strategic Context - This licensing agreement marks Merck's third collaboration with Chinese biotech firms, following previous multi-billion dollar deals with Hansoh Pharma and LaNova Medicines [7]. - The strategy aims to diversify Merck's revenue base, which is heavily reliant on Keytruda, accounting for nearly 46% of total revenues in 2024 [8]. - The trend of big pharma companies seeking partnerships in China reflects a broader industry movement towards accessing new drugs at attractive valuations [9].