Endocyte Enters Into Agreement to be Acquired by Novartis AG for $2.1 Billion

Endocyte (Nasdaq:ECYT) a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapeutics for cancer treatment, today announced that it has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with Novartis pursuant to which Novartis will acquire Endocyte for $24 per share, or a total equity value of approximately $2.1 billion, in cash.

As quoted in the press release:

This offer represents a premium of 54% percent to Endocyte’s closing price of $15.56 on October 17, 2018.  The transaction was unanimously approved by the board of directors of Endocyte.

“Since acquiring exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize PSMA-617 agents in 2017, the entire Endocyte team, along with our partners, have worked tirelessly to build a leading radioligand (RLT) portfolio and create value for patients and shareholders alike. We are thrilled that Novartis recognizes the potential for ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617 to change the treatment landscape for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), as well as the broader role that RLTs may potentially play in the treatment of cancer,” said Mike Sherman, president and CEO of Endocyte. “The global reach and expertise of Novartis in developing and commercializing RLT therapies will be critical in efforts for patients to benefit from these therapies as quickly as possible.”

Click here to read the full press release.