The acquisition is driven by Doptelet (avatrombopag), which is currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease and chronic immune thrombocytopenia.
Sobi is prepared to pay up to $915m (€834m) for Dova’s treatment, including an additional $1.5 (€1.37) per share should the treatment receive approval also for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) from the FDA.
Despite being prepared to pay close to $1bn to get its hands on the treatment, Sobi will not be expecting immediate high sales returns on the Doptelet treatment. In second quarter financials, Dova revealed that the treatment had brought in sales of just $3.5m in the US.
In response to an investor questions regarding potential revenue of the treatment, Sobi CEO, Guido Oeklkers, said, “If the readout from the CIT trial is a positive, we are likely to be the first in this indication that is affecting a number of patients…So, it is for us a significant opportunity.”
Evaluate estimates that the treatment could reach sales of $398m by 2024.
Sobi’s hemophilia portfolio currently includes Alprolix (coagulation factor IX (recombinant), Fc fusion protein), Gamifant (emapalumab) and Elocta (efmoroctocog alfa).
The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019.
