• Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
Stock

Genmab to acquire Dutch biotech Merus in $8B deal to expand cancer pipeline

by September 29, 2025
by September 29, 2025

Denmark’s Genmab has agreed to acquire Merus NV, a Nasdaq-listed Dutch biotechnology company, in an all-cash transaction valued at $8 billion, the companies announced on Monday.

The deal marks a significant expansion of Genmab’s oncology portfolio, adding a promising late-stage cancer therapy candidate to its pipeline.

Under the terms of the agreement, Genmab will pay $97.00 per share, representing a 41% premium over Merus’ closing price of $68.89 on September 26 and a 44% premium over the company’s 30-day volume weighted average price of $67.42.

Both companies’ boards of directors have unanimously approved the transaction.

The acquisition will be funded through a mix of cash on hand and $5.5 billion in non-convertible debt financing.

Genmab has secured a funding commitment from Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., ensuring the deal is not subject to financing conditions.

With this acquisition, Genmab expects to strengthen its position in the competitive biotechnology sector.

“Following the closing of the transaction, Genmab will have four proprietary programs expected to drive multiple new drug launches by 2027,” the companies said in the statement.

Petosemtamab joins Genmab’s late-stage pipeline

At the core of the deal is Merus’ experimental drug petosemtamab, a bispecific antibody targeting EGFRxLGR5, which is currently being tested in two Phase 3 trials for head-and-neck cancer.

Interim results are expected in 2026.

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted petosemtamab two Breakthrough Therapy Designations, covering both first-line and second-line indications.

Data presented earlier this year at the American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting showed encouraging response rates and progression-free survival outcomes compared with the current standard of care.

Genmab said it anticipates the drug’s potential launch in 2027, subject to positive trial outcomes and regulatory approvals.

The company believes the therapy could generate at least $1 billion in annual sales by 2029, with scope for multi-billion-dollar revenues thereafter.

Strategic importance of the deal

Jan van de Winkel, Genmab’s president and chief executive officer, said the deal was consistent with the group’s long-term strategy.

“Petosemtamab has the potential to be a transformational therapy for patients living with head and neck cancer. With our proven track record in development and commercialization, we are confident we can unlock its promise,” he said.

Merus chief executive Bill Lundberg welcomed the deal, citing the companies’ shared focus on innovation in antibody therapeutics.

“We believe Genmab has the right vision and experience to advance petosemtamab in recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer and beyond,” he said.

Genmab aims to broaden the development of petosemtamab into earlier lines of therapy while leveraging its late-stage expertise and global commercial infrastructure.

Analysts expect the deal to accelerate the company’s transformation into a leading global biotechnology player, providing durable growth into the next decade.

The post Genmab to acquire Dutch biotech Merus in $8B deal to expand cancer pipeline appeared first on Invezz

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
European stocks open higher: DAX up 0.47%, FTSE climbs 0.34%
next post
Toyota reports eighth consecutive month of global sales growth

Related Posts

Europe bulletin: Zelensky calls for more weapons, Russia...

October 25, 2025

Nvidia stock edges higher amid semiconductor sector rally...

October 25, 2025

AMD stock climbs 7%, breaching $400B market cap...

October 25, 2025

US digest: Jeffries endorses Mamdani, Ford’s stock surge,...

October 25, 2025

Trump seeks Asia mineral deals to ramp up...

October 25, 2025

Lucy Powell elected deputy leader of the UK’s...

October 25, 2025

Disney warns YouTube TV subscribers of potential blackout...

October 24, 2025

Top catalysts for the CAC 40 index next...

October 24, 2025

European stocks open higher, buoyed by a wave...

October 24, 2025

NatWest share price forecast as its earnings jump:...

October 24, 2025

Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.

By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

Recent Posts

  • Europe bulletin: Zelensky calls for more weapons, Russia warns against EU sanctions

    October 25, 2025
  • Nvidia stock edges higher amid semiconductor sector rally and AI boom

    October 25, 2025
  • AMD stock climbs 7%, breaching $400B market cap amid chip sector rally

    October 25, 2025
  • US digest: Jeffries endorses Mamdani, Ford’s stock surge, US sanctions Colombian president

    October 25, 2025
  • Trump seeks Asia mineral deals to ramp up pressure on China’s Xi: report

    October 25, 2025
  • Lucy Powell elected deputy leader of the UK’s Labour Party

    October 25, 2025

Editors’ Picks

  • 1

    Meta executives eligible for 200% salary bonus under new pay structure

    February 21, 2025
  • 2

    Pop Mart reports 188% profit surge, plans aggressive global expansion

    March 26, 2025
  • 3

    New FBI leader Kash Patel tapped to run ATF as acting director

    February 23, 2025
  • 4

    Walmart earnings preview: What to expect before Thursday’s opening bell

    February 20, 2025
  • 5

    Cramer reveals a sub-sector of technology that can withstand Trump tariffs

    March 1, 2025
  • 6

    Anthropic’s newly released Claude 3.7 Sonnet can ‘think’ as long as the user wants before giving an answer

    February 25, 2025
  • 7

    Nvidia’s investment in SoundHound wasn’t all that significant after all

    March 1, 2025

Categories

  • Economy (3,000)
  • Editor's Pick (295)
  • Investing (185)
  • Stock (2,048)
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Read alsox

Wall Street braces for weakest earnings season...

July 13, 2025

Analyst: buy Rigetti stock as it warms...

July 3, 2025

Japan faces food security crisis amid record...

August 5, 2025