April 16 Quick Takes: AZ’s $39B Alexion deal clears FTC hurdle; plus Biosplice, C2i, Relay, Surrozen and more
The FTC has cleared the $39 billion takeout of Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) by AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NASDAQ:AZN), clearing a hurdle for the pharma at a time when biopharma M&A is under greater scrutiny by the agency. Regulatory clearances for the deal are pending in at least three important territories: the EU, Japan and the U.K. AZ said it continues to expect the deal to close in 3Q21, pending the additional regulatory clearances and approval by shareholders.
Wnt signaling company Biosplice Therapeutics Inc. raised $120 million from a syndicate including Eventide Asset Management, aMoon, SymBiosis II, Sands Capital and Verition Fund Management. The company, previously known as Samumed LLC, has clinical programs for osteoarthritis, oncology and hair loss; it raised $438 million in a 2018 round at a $12 billion valuation...