October 1, 2021 – Merck & Co. has agreed to buy Acceleron Pharma Inc. for $11.5 billion. The acquisition will expand Merck’s pipeline of experimental drugs for rare respiratory and blood diseases.
Acceleron’s flagship pharmaceutical is an experimental drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The drug, called sotatercept, promises to be the first that doesn’t just treat symptoms and slow down the disease, but could potentially stop it. The drug, in late-stage testing with results coming as early as 2024, could serve as a foundational medicine for patients who may not respond to other medications, the company says.
Merck beat out other potential suitors for Acceleron, said a person familiar with the matter, including Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., which already owns a big stake in the company.
The companies expect the deal to close in the fourth quarter.