Shares of Momenta Pharmaceuticals (MNTA) rocketed 69% into record territory in premarket trading Wednesday, after the biotechnology company announced an agreement to be acquired by Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) in a deal valued at $6.5 billion.
- Johnson & Johnson to acquire Momenta for $52.50 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of $6.5 billion and a 70% premium to Momenta’s closing price on August 18, 2020
- Momenta’s FcRn inhibitor, nipocalimab, has the potential to transform treatment of autoantibody-driven autoimmune diseases
- Transaction expected to be completed in the second half of 2020
Under terms of the deal, J&J will pay $52.50 for each Momenta share outstanding, representing a 70.4% premium to Tuesday’s closing price of $30.81. J&J’s stock gained 0.2% ahead of the open. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2020.
J&J said the acquisition provides its Janssen Pharmaceuticals business an opportunity to broaden its leadership in immune-mediated diseases and expand into the autoantibody-driven disease business. The deal includes full global rights to Momenta’s nipocalimab, a clinically validated anti-FcRn antibody, which allows Janssen to reach more patients by pursuing indications across many autoimmune diseases.
Momenta’s stock has soared 56.2% year to date through Tuesday, while J&J shares have gained 2.9% and the S&P 500 has advanced 4.9%.
Looking to beat the market?
Sign up and get Money Signals straight to your phone with over 50% in profits! Join now!
