DTMT Network

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Acceleron Pharma Inc. recently.

Earlier, the two companies had reached an agreement under which, Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Acceleron for $180 per share in cash for an approximate total equity value of $11.5 billion.

“This is an important and strategic opportunity for our company to continue growing our cardiovascular portfolio and pipeline, that builds on our long and proud legacy in cardiovascular disease and further bolsters our business development strategy,” Rob Davis, the chief executive officer and president of Merck said.

 “Fueled by Acceleron’s groundbreaking research, we are excited to explore the opportunities and possibilities ahead to reach even more patients by addressing this critical health need,” he added.

Acceleron is focused on harnessing the power of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily of proteins that are known to play a central role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation and repair, the announcement said.

Acceleron’s lead therapeutic candidate, sotatercept, has a novel mechanism of action with the potential to improve short-term and/or long-term clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a progressive and life-threatening blood vessel disorder, it added.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is high blood pressure in the lungs, during which the increased pressure in the vessels is caused by an obstruction in the small arteries in the lung for a variety of reasons.