Celgene and Juno Therapeutics sign definitive merger agreement

On Jan 23, 2018

Celgene Corporation and Juno Therapeutics signed a definitive merger agreement in which Celgene has initiated acquisition of Juno Therapeutics. As per the terms of the agreement, Celgene will pay $87 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $9 billion, net of cash and marketable securities acquired and Juno shares already owned by Celgene (approximately 9.7% of outstanding shares). The transaction was approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

JCAR017 (lisocabtagene maraleucel; liso-cel) represents a potentially best-in-class CD19-directed CAR T currently in a pivotal program for relapsed and/or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Regulatory approval for JCAR017 in the U.S. is expected in 2019 with potential global peak sales of approximately $3 billion.

Mark J. Alles, Celgene’s Chief Executive Officer claimed, “Juno’s advanced cellular immunotherapy portfolio and research capabilities strengthen Celgene’s global leadership in hematology and adds new drivers for growth beyond 2020.”