Johnson & Johnson has entered an acquisition agreement with drug developer Intra-Cellular Therapies priced at $14.6bn, positioning the deal as one of the largest seen in the pharmaceutical industry in the past year.
Founded in 2002, Intra-Cellular Therapies develops innovative treatments for complex psychiatric and neurologic diseases, with a scientific platform based on the work of Nobel Prize winner neuroscientist Paul Greengard.
Advancing research in neuropsychiatric disorders
“Building on our nearly 70-year legacy in neuroscience, this unique opportunity to add Intra-Cellular Therapies to our Innovative Medicine business demonstrates our commitment to transforming care and advancing research in some of today’s most devastating neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders,” said Joaquin Duato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Johnson & Johnson. “This acquisition further differentiates our portfolio, serves as a strategic near- and long-term growth catalyst for Johnson & Johnson and offers compelling value to patients, health systems and shareholders.”
Johnson & Johnson will be gaining ownership over Caplyta (lumateperone), a daily oral treatment developed by Intra-Cellular that is approved for the treatment of schizophrenia as well as depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or II disorder. In December, Intra-Cellular submitted a supplemental new drug application to the FDA for Caplyta as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). If accepted, Caplyta could become the first treatment approved for MDD and depressive symptoms associated with bipolar I and II in more than 15 years, according to the company.
Unlocking Caplyta‘s potential
“Caplyta’s success and the robust pipeline we have built demonstrates the passion and dedication of our talented team, and we are proud of the hundreds of thousands of patients we have helped,” said Sharon Mates, Chairman and CEO of Intra-Cellular Therapies. “Johnson & Johnson has a longstanding commitment to neuroscience, and we believe together, we can reach even more patients around the world.”
“With positive Phase 3 data in MDD as an adjunctive therapy and additional Phase 3 trials in other mental health disorders underway, we believe Caplyta has the potential to become a new standard of care for the treatment of some of today’s most prevalent and debilitating mental health disorders,” said John Reed, Executive Vice President, R&D, Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson.
The acquisition also includes three other drug candidates currently at the clinical stage, including ITI-1284, which is currently being studied in phase 2 trials for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and Alzheimer’s disease-related psychosis and agitation. Other drug candidates target Parkinson’s, opioid use disorder, and pain and mood disorders.