UCB adding Ra’s rare immunology assets in $2.5B takeout

UCB is looking to build its rare disease immunology franchise through its proposed $2.5 billion acquisition of Ra Pharmaceuticals -- a price that more than doubles the biotech’s valuation.

The deal would give UCB S.A. (Euronext:UCB) zilucoplan, a peptide inhibitor of C5. Last week, Ra Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:RARX) started testing the therapy in the Phase III RAISE study to treat generalized myasthenia gravis, with top-line data expected in early 2021...