Daiichi's U.S. comPlexx

Although Roche has worldwide rights to Plexxikon Inc.'s PLX4032, the opportunity to jump start a U.S. commercial presence in cancer on the back of co-promotion rights is leading Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. to acquire the biotech for $805 million up front.

Interim Phase III data for PLX4032 were reported in January, and Roche plans to submit marketing applications in the U.S. and Europe this year...