Otsuka Pharmaceutical to Aquire Avanir Pharmaceuticals
Full-scale entry to neurologic diseases area widens core business presence in CNS
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce an agreement with Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Avanir”) in which Otsuka America,
Inc., a US subsidiary, acquires Avanir for USD 3.5 billion in an all-cash tender offer. The contract was signed on December 2, Japan time.
Avanir Pharmaceuticals
Avanir is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in CNS diseases. It was founded in 1988 in Southern
California and now employs approximately 500 people. Avanir developed and launched NUEDEXTA®
(dextromethorphan hydrobromide/quinidine sulfate) 20mg/10mg capsules in the US in February 2011 as
the world’s first and only approved treatment for the neurologic disease pseudobulbar affect (PBA). Sales
of NUEDEXTA in the twelve-month period from July 2013 through June 2014 were USD 94 million, a
50% increase over the prior-year period.
Avanir markets NUEDEXTA in the US through its own sales organization of over 300 sales
representatives, 150 of whom were recently hired to accelerate the continued growth of NUEDEXTA for
PBA. The company’s pipeline includes programs in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, migraine,
and other CNS indications. The promising new chemical entity AVP-786, with a target indication for
agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease, is being prepared to enter Phase III clinical trials.
Objectives of the acquisition
The acquisition of Avanir will bring Otsuka three distinct values: 1) NUEDEXTA, created to treat the
under-recognized, neurologic disease PBA; 2) the late-stage investigational compound AVP-786 in
clinical development to treat agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease and; 3) Avanir’s clinical
development and commercial expertise in neurologic diseases, which complements Otsuka’s capabilities
in psychiatric diseases. These will accelerate Otsuka’s existing expansion strategy in the neurologic area,
widening the overall CNS portfolio, inclusive of the psychiatric and neurologic areas, supporting both
short-and medium-term growth.
This acquisition is consistent with the Otsuka Group’s investment philosophy: invest in companies and
businesses with which we can share a common management philosophy, human resources, products and
technology to enhance corporate value; and invest with long-term perspective. The acquisition is based
on the concepts of creativity and proof through execution that Otsuka esteems.
Creativity and proof through execution
Avanir has successfully taken on the challenge to create, develop and commercialize a drug in a new
disease category PBA, for which no approved treatment existed. Avanir’s approach to creativity is
remarkably consistent with Otsuka’s. The former has demonstrated strengths in neurologic diseases such
as PBA whereas the latter has demonstrated strengths in psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, manic
and mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder and adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder.
Furthermore, the October 2013 addition to the Otsuka Group of Astex Pharmaceuticals’ Cambridge
Research Institute, with its fragment-based drug discovery technology, will reinforce the integrated
creative capacity of the three companies, accelerating and strengthening opportunities in the CNS field.
NUEDEXTA, a treatment for PBA (pseudobulbar affect), a neurologic disease
PBA is a neurologic condition characterized by sudden and uncontrollable, disruptive laughing and/or
crying outbursts that are often contrary or exaggerated in relation to the patient’s inner mood state. As a
result, many of those afflicted with PBA show significant impairment on standard measures of health
status, and impairments in occupational and social function, often leading to social isolation. PBA occurs
secondary to a variety of neurologic conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple sclerosis
(MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. When
these disorders damage areas of the brain that regulate normal emotional expression, they can lead to
uncontrollable, disruptive episodes of crying or laughing.
In the US, the potential number of patients is estimated to be approximately two million people. The
disease was neglected for many years in absence of an approved treatment. NUEDEXTA is an innovative
combination of two well-characterized components; dextromethorphan hydrobromide (20mg), the
ingredient active in the central nervous system, and quinidine sulfate (10mg), a metabolic inhibitor
enabling therapeutic dextromethorphan concentrations. Dextromethorphan acts on the sigma-1 and
NMDA receptors in the brain, although the mechanism by which NUEDEXTA exerts therapeutic effects
in patients with PBA is unknown.
Drug development for agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease
Up to 50% of patients with Alzheimer's disease experience agitation, which can manifest as verbal abuse,
confusion, and aggression.
Dementia-related behavioral symptoms, including agitation, increase the
burden on caregivers and can be extremely distressing to the individual, the family, and caregivers. These
behavioral disturbances have been associated with more rapid cognitive decline, institutionalization and
increased caregiver burden.
Avanir has continued to advance a clinical program for the treatment of agitation in Alzheimer’s disease,
a complication which currently lacks any effective and safe treatment. Avanir presented Phase II proofof-concept
trial results at the American Neurological Association annual meeting in October 2014.
Avanir expects to meet with the FDA in early 2015 to discuss advancement of the program.
Medium-term management plan
In Otsuka’s medium-term plan, the CNS therapy area, including global research and development, is one
of the company’s prioritized areas. The acquisition of Avanir will bolster Otsuka’s business portfolio with
NUEDEXTA and AVP-786. The psychiatric and neurologic areas will construct Otsuka’s CNS business 3
which will exploit new synergies from research and development through to sales and marketing. These
will serve as both a short-term and mid-term growth driver, with contributions to growth from
NUEDEXTA revenues starting in 2015 and from Avanir’s cash flow starting in 2016.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s strategy in CNS
Otsuka’s pursuit of research and development in the CNS field for 25 years resulted in the introduction of
ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) as the world's first dopamine D2 partial agonist in the United States in 2002 for
the treatment of schizophrenia. In cooperation with Bristol-Myers Squibb, additional indications were
developed in subsequent years in areas such as mixed and manic episodes of bipolar I disorder, and as
adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder. In 2011, Otsuka formed a far-reaching alliance with
the Danish company Lundbeck in order to broaden CNS activities in Japan, the US, Europe and Asia.
The
alliance launched Abilify Maintena® (aripiprazole extended-release injectable suspension for
intramuscular use), a once-monthly injectable schizophrenia treatment, in the US in 2013 and in the EU in
2014. Otsuka continues to expand its presence in the area of psychiatric diseases.
With this acquisition, Otsuka is expanding its therapeutic reach in the neurologic area which includes
many diseases such as Alzheimer’s-type dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, where there is large medical need for new therapeutic agents and where
patients and healthcare providers are often unsatisfied with currently available therapeutic options.
There are many hurdles of research and development on CNS diseases. Mechanisms of action of drugs
are often not completely understood, and animal testing models are not necessarily accurate predictors of
efficacy in human diseases. Despite these hurdles, many new protein targets have been identified as
targets for CNS diseases in recent years. The addition of Astex Pharmaceuticals to the Otsuka Group
brought with it that company’s Cambridge Research Institute. The institute’s innovative fragment-based
drug discovery technology is well suited to identify protein targets using techniques for low-molecular
weight screening, enabling creation of candidate compounds in a short period of time.
By linking Avanir’s clinical development and sales and marketing capabilities, Astex’s Cambridge
Research Institute, and Otsuka’s Tokushima (Japan) Qs' Research Institute (for CNS drug discovery), an
integrated drug development system in the CNS field can be constructed.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s engagement on Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer's-type dementia, one of the most pressing medical needs, is a neurologic disease in which
nerve cells in the brain gradually die off, progressively destroying cognition and other mental faculties.
Alzheimer's disease is the most frequently occurring type of dementia, accounting for 50-60% of
dementia cases.
There are estimated to be more than 30 million people with Alzheimer’s disease
worldwide.
As the disease progresses, typical symptoms including cognitive impairment, confusion, and agitation
progress to the point that everyday functioning becomes difficult.
Otsuka views Alzheimer’s disease as one of its core therapeutic focus areas with multiple programs in
various stages of development, including two Phase III compounds targeting the symptoms of the disease.
The addition of Avanir’s AVP-786 is expected to further cement Otsuka’s commitment to Alzheimer’s 4
patients and address some of the critical medical needs such as reducing agitation and behavioral
symptoms that arise from Alzheimer’s-type dementia.
The drug contribution to neurological diseases is low and new treatments are desired
(From a survey of Japanese physicians)
Otsuka Pharmaceutical president and representative director Taro Iwamoto commented, “As we bring
together Otsuka’s experience and business track record in the area of mental illnesses with Avanir’s
strengths in neurologic diseases, we believe that we can evolve into a truly global CNS pharmaceutical
company. Avanir’s creativity and proven execution on drug discovery and development for largely
unexplored medical indications, typified by PBA, represents a hand-in-glove fit with Otsuka’s culture.
We admire and respect Avanir’s innovative vision and execution, and want to continue to grow together.”
Keith A. Katkin, president and chief executive officer of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, also noted, “I am
extremely excited to see these two organizations come together to create a leading CNS company.
Otsuka is a clear leader in psychiatry and Avanir in neurology; together I believe our organizations will
be able to more rapidly develop and commercialize needed medications to potentially help millions of
patients around the world.”
About NUEDEXTA
NUEDEXTA is an innovative combination of two well-characterized components; dextromethorphan
hydrobromide (20 mg), the ingredient active in the central nervous system, and quinidine sulfate (10 mg),
a metabolic inhibitor enabling therapeutic dextromethorphan concentrations. NUEDEXTA acts on sigma-5
1 and NMDA receptors in the brain, although the mechanism by which NUEDEXTA exerts therapeutic
effects in patients with PBA is unknown.
NUEDEXTA Important Safety Information:
NUEDEXTA is indicated for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). PBA occurs secondary to a
variety of otherwise unrelated neurologic conditions, and is characterized by involuntary, sudden, and
frequent episodes of laughing and/or crying. PBA episodes typically occur out of proportion or
incongruent to the underlying emotional state.
Studies to support the effectiveness of NUEDEXTA were performed in patients with amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). NUEDEXTA has not been shown to be safe and effective in
other types of emotional lability that can commonly occur, for example, in Alzheimer’s disease and other
dementias.
NUEDEXTA and certain other medicines can interact, causing serious side effects. If you take certain
drugs or have certain heart problems, NUEDEXTA may not be right for you.
NUEDEXTA causes dose-dependent QTc prolongation. When initiating NUEDEXTA in patients at risk
for QT prolongation and torsades de pointes, electrocardiographic (ECG) evaluation should be conducted
at baseline and 3-4 hours after the first dose.
The most common adverse reactions are diarrhea, dizziness, cough, vomiting, asthenia, peripheral edema,
urinary tract infection, influenza, increased gamma-glutamyltransferase, and flatulence. NUEDEXTA
may cause dizziness.
These are not all the risks from use of NUEDEXTA. Please refer to full Prescribing Information at
www.NUEDEXTA.com.
About Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: 'Otsuka-people
creating new products for better health worldwide.' Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and
markets innovative and original products, with a focus on pharmaceutical products for the treatment of
diseases and nutraceutical products for the maintenance of everyday health.
In pharmaceuticals, Otsuka is a leading firm in the challenging area of mental health and also has research
programs on several under-addressed diseases including tuberculosis, a significant global public health
issue. These commitments illustrate more powerfully than words how Otsuka is a “big venture” company
at heart, applying a youthful spirit of creativity in everything it does.
Numerous innovation seeds have been created through our horizontal alliances in the CNS field with
other companies: Lundbeck and BMS on psychiatric therapies, and IBM and Proteus Digital Health on
digital solutions for patients, their families, healthcare providers and other caregivers.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which employs approximately 28,700 people worldwide, is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., the holding company for the Otsuka Group that is 6
headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The Otsuka Group has business operations in 25 countries and regions
around the world, with consolidated sales of approximately USD 14.1 billion for fiscal year 2013
(4/1/2013-3/31/2014.) Otsuka Pharmaceutical welcomes you to visit its global website at
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en.
About Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing innovative medicines
to patients with central nervous system disorders of high unmet medical need. As part of our commitment,
we have extensively invested in our pipeline and are dedicated to advancing medicines that can
substantially improve the lives of patients and their loved ones. For more information about Avanir,
please visit www.avanir.com. Avanir® and NUEDEXTA® are registered trademarks owned by Avanir
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Note to Investors
The tender offer to purchase shares of Avanir common stock referenced in this press release has not yet
commenced, and this press release is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, any
securities. The tender offer to purchase shares of Avanir common stock will be made only pursuant to a
Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO containing an offer to purchase, forms of letters of transmittal
and other documents relating to the tender offer (the “Tender Offer Statement”), which Bigarade
Corporation, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Otsuka, will file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”). Avanir will file with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement with
respect to the tender offer (the “Recommendation Statement”). THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT
AND THE RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION
THAT SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND CONSIDERED BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE
WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER. Both the Tender Offer Statement and the
Recommendation Statement will be mailed to Avanir stockholders free of charge. Investors and security
holders of Avanir also are advised that they may also obtain free copies of the Tender Offer Statement
and other documents filed by Bigarade Corporation with the SEC (when these documents become
available) and the Recommendation Statement and other documents filed by Avanir (when these
documents become available) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release, including without limitation expectations as to future
sales and operating results, constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this
press release include statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the transaction; statements regarding
the anticipated timing of filings and approvals relating to the transaction; statements regarding the
expected timing of the completion of the transaction; and any statements of assumptions underlying any
of the foregoing. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “estimates,”
“projects,” “forecasts,” “outlook,” and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking
statements. The statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may
cause the company's actual results, earnings, performance, or achievements to be materially different 7
from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general industry and market
conditions, general domestic and international economic conditions such as interest rate and currency
exchange fluctuations, technological advances and patents attained by competitors, challenges inherent in
new product development and clinical trials, claims and concerns about product safety and efficacy,
obtaining regulatory approvals, domestic and foreign healthcare reforms, and healthcare cost containment,
laws and regulations affecting domestic and foreign operations, and failure to gain market acceptance or
third-party consents. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ from expectations also
include: uncertainties as to the timing of the tender offer and merger; uncertainties as to how many Avanir
stockholders will tender their stock in the offer; the risk that competing offers will be made; and the
possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived, including
that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the
transaction. We will not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update or correct any
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to
reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
