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news.AstraZeneca is in negotiations with cancer drug maker Acerta Pharma on a potential deal to strengthen its cancer drug portfolio.
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The Wall Street Journal had recently reported that AstraZeneca was looking to acquire Acerta for over $5bn to secure access to its experimental blood cancer drug, acalabrutinib.
AstraZeneca said there can be no certainty that any agreement will be entered into, or as to the terms of any transaction.
Based in Oss, the Netherlands, Acerta provides drug discovery and development services for oncology and autoimmune diseases.
Currently, Acerta does not yet have a partner to support in the development of its drug. The company has agreed to evaluate acalabrutinib in combination with Merck’s Keytruda lung cancer drug.
Acerta is undertaking a range of cancer clinical studies, including two final-stage phase III trials. The company recently reported positive results in leukemia.
AstraZeneca, which rejected a takeover bid from Pfizer in 2014, is planning to rebuild its portfolio of medicines.
Last month, AstraZeneca agreed to acquire ZS Pharma for about $2.7bn to expand its cardiovascular and metabolic disease portfolio.
Image: AstraZeneca headquarters, London, UK. Photo: courtesy of AstraZeneca.