Novo Nordisk recently announced that it made a proposal on 22 December 2017 to acquire Ablynx for EUR 28.00 per share in cash and one CVR with total potential cash payments over time of up to EUR 2.50 per share.

According to company statement, “This proposal implies a total equity valuation of approximately EUR 2.6 billion1 for Ablynx and represents a premium of up to 60% over Ablynx's share price as of 6 December 2017 of €19.12, which was the day prior to our first proposal, and up to 66% over Ablynx's 3 month VWAP of EUR 18.39 as of 5 January 2018.”

“Novo Nordisk has made a concerted and good faith effort to engage in discussions with Ablynx. This proposal is the second proposal that Novo Nordisk has made to Ablynx's Board of Directors and represents up to approximately a 14% increase over the first proposal. Novo Nordisk regrets that the Board of Directors of Ablynx has so far declined to engage in any discussions, despite the proposals which have been put forward.”

The company has conducted a deep analysis of Ablynx's business and product portfolio, based on publicly available information, including caplacizumab, ALX-0171, vobarilizumab, its other pipeline products and partnerships.

Following that analysis, Novo Nordisk has concluded that combining Ablynx's caplacizumab with Novo Nordisk's strong global haematology franchise and extensive worldwide resources is a compelling opportunity and provides the clearest path to realizing full potential of Ablynx's portfolio in the best interests of all stakeholders, including patients and physicians.

The proposed transaction would combine Novo Nordisk's regulatory, scientific and commercial expertise with Ablynx's strong existing medical teams to optimise the development and global commercialisation of caplacizumab.