BioCryst Announces Sale of European ORLADEYO® Business to Neopharmed Gentili
Deal News | Jun 27, 2025 | Globenewswire
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, a global biotechnology firm known for focusing on rare diseases like hereditary angioedema, has announced the sale of its European ORLADEYO (berotralstat) business to Neopharmed Gentili. The deal is valued at up to $264 million, with Neopharmed Gentili paying $250 million upfront and up to $14 million contingent on future sales milestones. BioCryst plans to apply these funds to retire all its remaining term debt, thereby eliminating around $70 million of future interest payments. This strategic move aligns with BioCryst’s intent to focus on enhancing profitability and exploring new growth avenues. Neopharmed Gentili, a pharmaceutical company rooted in Italy, views this acquisition as a stepping stone to further its international presence in the rare disease sector. The transaction, expected to close by October, allows Neopharmed Gentili to assume full operational control to ensure continuity for ORLADEYO’s commercial presence in Europe. Both companies engaged prominent financial and legal advisors for the transaction, emphasizing its significance to their respective business strategies and future growth projections.
Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceuticals
- Finance
Geography
- United States – BioCryst Pharmaceuticals is based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, US.
- Italy – Neopharmed Gentili, the acquirer, is an Italian company expanding internationally through this transaction.
- Europe – The transaction involves European assets and rights of ORLADEYO® and impacts pharmaceutical operations across Europe.
Industry
- Biotechnology – BioCryst Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company that develops therapeutics for rare diseases, which is central to the transaction.
- Pharmaceuticals – Neopharmed Gentili is a pharmaceutical company expanding through acquisitions like this transaction, involving the geographic rights to ORLADEYO®.
- Finance – The transaction involves significant financial advisory roles, debt retirement, and financial adjustments, marking a notable event in corporate finance.
Financials
- $250 million – Upfront payment from Neopharmed Gentili to BioCryst for the European assets and rights related to ORLADEYO.
- Up to $14 million – Additional future milestone payments contingent on sales performance in Central and Eastern Europe.
- $70 million – The elimination of future interest payments due to debt retirement facilitated by the transaction proceeds.
- $400 million – Expected increase in BioCryst's 2027 net cash position post-transaction.
- $249 million – Amount of remaining term debt BioCryst plans to retire using proceeds from the transaction.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Seller | Company | A biotechnology company focused on rare diseases, selling its European ORLADEYO business. |
| Neopharmed Gentili S.p.A. | Buyer | Company | An Italian pharmaceutical company acquiring the European operations of ORLADEYO, expanding its presence in the rare diseases sector. |
| BofA Securities, Inc. | Financial Advisor to BioCryst | Company | Acting as a financial advisor for BioCryst during the transaction. |
| TD Cowen | Financial Advisor to BioCryst | Company | Providing financial advisory services to BioCryst for the transaction. |
| Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP | Legal Advisor to BioCryst | Company | Serving as legal counsel for BioCryst. |
| Centerview Partners UK LLP | Financial Advisor to Neopharmed Gentili | Company | Exclusive financial advisor to Neopharmed Gentili for the acquisition. |
| White & Case LLP | Legal Advisor to Neopharmed Gentili | Company | Acting as legal advisor for Neopharmed Gentili during the transaction. |
| Pharmakon | Lender | Company | Provided term debt to BioCryst, which will be retired through proceeds from the sale. |