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Takeda acquires URL Pharma for $800 million

DEERFIELD — Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. subsidiary Takeda America Holdings, Inc. has acquired URL Pharma Inc. for $800 million.

The deal also includes an agreement for future performance-based contingent earn out payments. URL Pharma will be managed by Deerfield-based Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc., and report to Douglas Cole, president, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

With the completion of the acquisition, Takeda U.S.A. will begin the integration of URL Pharma and will immediately assume responsibility for the marketing and promotion of URL Pharma’s gout medicine Colcrys.

The acquisition will result in an immediate increase in revenue with estimated FY 2012 net sales of more than $550 million, and continued growth of Colcrys sales is expected throughout the product’s life cycle. The addition of Colcrys strengthens Takeda’s presence in the U.S. by increasing the company’s gout treatment portfolio to provide patients with more gout management options for acute and chronic aspects of the disease. Colcrys complements Takeda’s position in the gout marketplace with Uloric (febuxostat), used to lower blood uric acid levels in adults with gout.

“The acquisition of URL Pharma is a meaningful opportunity that delivers on our commitment to strengthen Takeda’s presence in the U.S. by adding products that amplify our expertise in primary care,” said Cole. “This commitment allows us to broaden our focus for patients by providing multiple therapeutic offerings for gout, which affects more than eight million Americans.”

Takeda will immediately assume responsibility for the marketing and promotion of Colcrys, the only FDA-approved single-ingredient oral colchicine product available in the U.S. Net sales for Colcrys in 2011 were more than $430 million. This acquisition is accretive to both GAAP and non-GAAP operating income immediately and provides a strong, profitable and long-term source of revenue that complements Takeda’s existing U.S. business.

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