Ogeda takeout gives Astellas hot flashes candidate

Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo:4503) is acquiring Ogeda S.A. (Gosselies, Belgium), giving the pharma neurokinin 3 receptor (TACR3; NK3R) antagonist fezolinetant (ESN364). The candidate has met the primary endpoints in a Phase IIa trial to treat hot flashes. Ogeda CEO Jean Combalbert said a Phase IIb study is due to start by mid-2017.

Ogeda shareholders are to receive €500 million ($533.3 million) up front and are eligible for €300 million ($320 million) in milestones tied to fezolinetant's development. The parties expect the deal to close this quarter...