Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on rare diseases, confirmed on June 8, 2015 that it had received a preliminary and conditional non-binding proposal in relation to a possible offer for all shares issued by the company on April 27, 2015. The board of directors of Sobi has terminated discussions regarding this proposal and did not disclose the company making the non-binding proposal. Sobi said it will continue to focus on preparations for the upcoming planned launch of Elocta and Alprolix, two hemophilia drugs.

Sobi and Biogen are partners in the development and commercialization of Elocta/Eloctate/rFVIIIFc for hemophilia A and Alprolix/rFIXFc for the treatment of hemophilia B. Sobi has final development and commercialization rights for rFVIIIFc in the Sobi territories (Europe, North Africa, Russia, and certain Middle Eastern markets), as well as the opt-in right to assume final development and commercialisation of Alprolix/rFIXFc in Europe, Russia, certain countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Biogen leads development for Elocta/Eloctate/rFVIIIFc and Alprolix/rFIXFc, has manufacturing rights, and has commercialization rights in North America and all other regions in the world, excluding the Sobi territories.

Earlier this month, Biogen submitted a marketing authorization application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for Alprolix, a prolonged circulating recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein. The MAA filing with the EMA coupled with the receipt of the opt-in data package, triggers the formal opt-in right, for Sobi to exercise its option in accordance with the collaboration agreement.

Source: Sobi