AstraZeneca Closes Mega $39B Alexion Buyout

AstraZeneca’s mega $39 billion takeover of Alexion Pharmaceuticals has come to a close, delivering the British pharma a lucrative portfolio of immunology medicines and a towering presence in rare diseases. 

AZ on Wednesday announced the completion of its Alexion acquisition, a week after securing a pivotal nod from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Industry watchers were concerned that the deal, the largest announced among pharma players last year, could become a target for an emboldened, Democrat-led Federal Trade Commission (FTC). But those fears were eventually wiped away as AZ secured blessings from the U.S. in April, then from the EU in early July.

The now-completed buyout stands as a key stepping stone for AstraZeneca as it targets an ambitious sales goal of $40 billion in just four years, up from the roughly $26 billion it made in 2020. 

With the deal’s closing will come an immediate $6 billion bump to AstraZeneca’s top line as the drugmaker secures two of Alexion’s blockbuster C5 inhibitor franchises, Soliris and Ultomiris.

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.