Sanofi’s $9 Billion Acquisition Enhances Treatments for Rare Immunology Diseases

Sanofi acquires Blueprint Medicines for $9 billion to enhance its rare immunology disease portfolio.

French company Sanofi is set to make the largest healthcare acquisition in Europe this year, aiming to boost its position in rare immunology diseases through obtaining the US-based biopharmaceutical firm Blueprint Medicines Corporation. Specializing in treating a rare immunological disorder known as systemic mastocytosis, Blueprint Medicines Corporation (BPMC.O) has agreed to be acquired by Sanofi for over $9 billion.

Sanofi will pay $129.00 per share in cash to acquire Blueprint. Sanofi’s medical portfolio will be enhanced by this acquisition with advanced and early-stage immunology treatments, including the drug Ayvakit/Ayvakyt, which is approved in both the U.S. and the EU for a rare immunological disorder. Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi, said that this acquisition marks a significant step that will lead the company to become a major immunology company in the world and enhance the rare and immunology portfolios of both companies. BLU-808, an effective and selective oral wild-type KIT inhibitor used to treat a broad range of immunological disorders, along with elenestinib, a future-oriented medicine for systemic mastocytosis, will be included in Sanofi’s purchase of Blueprint.

"The latest acquisitions of other early-stage medicines by the French company Sanofi fit well with this deal, and the company still has room for further takeovers," Hudson added. In addition to the $129.00 per share in cash, Blueprint shareholders will also get a non-tradable contingent value right (CVR), which allows them to receive two potential milestone payments of $2 and $4 per CVR, based on the future developments and regulatory accomplishments for BLU-808.