In another departure from its core focus on genetic medicines, Vertex Pharma has agreed a $4.9 billion purchase of Alpine Immune Sciences, adding a mid-stage drug candidate for kidney disease IgA nephropathy (IgAN).
The $65-per-share deal is due to close within the next three months, said Vertex, which plans to fund the acquisition with cash in hand. It is the largest acquisition in the biopharma sector so far in 2024, and Vertex’s largest to date.
