BioCentury
ARTICLE | Finance

Right place, right time

How Vtesse-Sucampo deal helps both companies while giving VCs upside

April 7, 2017 10:34 PM UTC

The takeout of Vtesse Inc. by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SCMP) filled gaps for each company while giving Vtesse investors an exit and a share of any upside. The Vtesse team will get the resources it needed to complete a pivotal trial of VTS-270 that cost more than expected, while VTS-270 helps fill a hole in Sucampo’s pipeline.

Sucampo acquired Vtesse on April 3 for $200 million up front, including $170 million in cash and 2.8 million Sucampo shares, plus royalties. If FDA approves VTS-270 and Sucampo receives and then sells a pediatric rare disease Priority Review voucher, Vtesse shareholders would receive an undisclosed portion of the net proceeds. ...