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Acquisition will bring two differentiated commercialized immunology medicines to Biogen with EMPAVELI® FDA-approved in three indications, including two rare kidney diseases, and SYFOVRE® FDA-approved in geographic atrophy, an immune-mediated retinal disease
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Bringing together Biogen and Apellis’ commercialization capabilities will maximize the potential of both EMPAVELI® and SYFOVRE®, while Apellis’ talent and expertise will accelerate Biogen’s entry into nephrology and augment launch readiness for felzartamab, currently in Phase 3
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Acquisition is expected to bolster Biogen’s near-and long-term growth prospects, adding immediate revenue from two products with significant growth potential; 2025 net product revenue for EMPAVELI® and SYFOVRE® together was $689 million, expected to grow at a rate in the mid-to-high teens at least through 2028
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Biogen to acquire Apellis for a price of $41 per share in cash representing an upfront equity consideration of approximately $5.6 billion and a contingent value right (CVR) per share payable upon achievement of certain thresholds related to global net sales of SYFOVRE®
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Financially attractive transaction expected to be increasingly accretive to non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) starting in 2027 and expected to meaningfully increase Biogen’s non-GAAP EPS compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) through the end of the decade
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Biogen to host investor conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and WALTHAM, Mass., March 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) and Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: APLS) today announced the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Biogen has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of Apellis for $41.00 per share in cash at closing, or approximately $5.6 billion. Apellis stockholders will also receive a nontransferable CVR for each Apellis share held, entitling the holder to receive two payments of $2 per share each, contingent on certain annual global net sales thresholds being met for SYFOVRE®.
The addition of Apellis, a leader in advancing treatments for serious, complement-driven diseases, is expected to enhance Biogen’s short- and long-term revenue growth profile by adding two commercialized differentiated immunology and rare disease medicines to its growth portfolio. EMPAVELI® and SYFOVRE® add immediate sales revenue to Biogen, having achieved combined net sales of $689 million in 2025, which is expected to grow at a rate in the mid-to-high teens at least through 2028.
EMPAVELI® is FDA-approved in rare immune-mediated kidney diseases (C3G and primary IC-MPGN) and in PNH and SYFOVRE® is FDA-approved in geographic atrophy secondary to age related macular degeneration, an immune-mediated retinal disease. Apellis brings an established U.S. sales infrastructure and capabilities, including in nephrology, that Biogen believes will accelerate and strengthen Biogen’s commercial readiness for felzartamab, which is currently in Phase 3 studies for three kidney diseases with the first trial readout expected in the first half of 2027. Upon closing, Biogen expects a significant proportion of Apellis employees to join the company. Biogen will continue to work with Sobi, which retains commercial rights to EMPAVELI® (Aspaveli® in the EU) outside the U.S.
“Consistent with our strategy, this acquisition immediately advances Biogen’s ongoing transformation. The addition of Apellis expands our growth portfolio in immunology and rare disease with two approved, best-in-class medicines that complement our existing portfolio and bolsters our near-and long-term growth potential,” said Christopher A. Viehbacher, Biogen’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to welcoming Apellis employees to Biogen. We believe our combined capabilities and experience will allow us to maximize the potential of SYFOVRE® and EMPAVELI®, while Apellis’ talent, expertise and field capabilities will further strengthen Biogen, deepening the foundation for our growing nephrology franchise with felzartamab and serving many more patients with immune-mediated retinal disease."
“I am incredibly proud of the Apellis team and what we have achieved, including bringing two transformational medicines – SYFOVRE® and EMPAVELI® – to patients and building an innovative pipeline leveraging our deep expertise in complement science,” said Cedric Francois, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Apellis. “With Biogen’s extensive experience with immunology and rare disease, we believe this transaction will accelerate our impact and enable us to reach more patients. This transaction represents a compelling outcome for our shareholders and a strong validation of our strategy, scientific innovation, and execution.”
Two differentiated, complement therapies to enhance Biogen’s growth portfolio and expand Biogen’s nephrology capabilities
EMPAVELI® (pegcetacoplan) is a targeted complement component 3 (C3) therapy designed to regulate excessive activation of the complement cascade, a part of the body’s immune system. EMPAVELI® has been approved with a broad label for adults and adolescents with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) or primary IC-MPGN (primary immune-complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis) that also includes data on patients with post-transplant C3G disease recurrence. In the Phase 3 VALIANT study, EMPAVELI® demonstrated a 68% reduction in proteinuria, stabilization of kidney function, and substantial clearance of C3 deposits (as measured by C3 staining by biopsy), compared to placebo.
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Positive results were seen in adolescent and adult patients with C3G and primary IC-MPGN and in C3G patients with post-transplant disease recurrence.
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EMPAVELI® is the only FDA-approved treatment for pediatric patients (12+ years) with C3G and the only FDA-approved treatment for patients with post-transplant C3G disease recurrence.
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EMPAVELI® is also the first and only FDA-approved treatment for both adult and pediatric (12+ years) populations in primary IC-MPGN.
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EMPAVELI®/Aspaveli® is also approved for the treatment of adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in the United States, European Union, and other countries globally.
SYFOVRE® (pegcetacoplan injection) is an approved therapy for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration. By targeting C3, SYFOVRE has been shown to provide comprehensive control of the complement cascade, part of the body’s immune system. SYFOVRE® was approved based on positive results from the Phase 3 OAKS and DERBY studies at 24 months, which included a broad and representative patient population.
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In these studies, SYFOVRE® reduced the rate of geographic atrophy (GA) lesion growth compared to sham treatment.
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The treatment demonstrated increasing effects over time, with the greatest benefit — up to 36% reduction in lesion growth with monthly treatment in the DERBY study — occurring between months 18 and 24.
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In November 2025, Apellis presented a post-hoc analysis of its five-year long-term efficacy data from the GALE open-label extension study, showing SYFOVRE® delayed GA lesion progression by approximately 1.5 years in patients with nonsubfoveal GA when compared to sham/projected sham.
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SYFOVRE® is approved in the United States and Australia.
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Apellis has completed a clinical trial for a SYFOVRE® prefilled syringe (PFS) and plans to submit its application for FDA approval in the first half of 2026.
Transaction brings significant opportunity for value creation
Upon closing of the transaction, expected in the second quarter of 2026, the addition of Apellis is expected to add commercial products to Biogen that together recorded $689 million in revenue in 2025, and which are expected to grow at a rate in the mid-to-high teens at least through 2028.
This transaction is expected to strengthen Biogen’s revenue and EPS growth potential and is expected to be increasingly accretive to Biogen’s Non-GAAP diluted EPS starting in 2027. Importantly, the transaction is expected to meaningfully increase Biogen’s non-GAAP EPS compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) through the end of the decade. Biogen expects to finance the acquisition with a combination of cash and borrowings and believes it can fully de-lever by the end of 2027, allowing it to maintain financial flexibility for future investments.
Biogen plans to update full year 2026 guidance when it reports earnings for the first quarter of 2026.
Transaction and financial details
Under the terms of the agreement, Biogen will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Apellis common stock for $41 per share in cash at closing (representing an 86% premium to the 90-day volume-weighted average stock price and a 35% premium to the 52-week high stock price) and a non-transferable CVR per share. Each CVR represents the right to receive a cash payment of $2 per share if SYFOVRE® achieves $1.5 billion in annual global net sales in any calendar year between 2027 and 2030, a right to receive an additional cash payment of $2 per share if SYFOVRE® achieves $2 billion in annual global net sales in any of these calendar years, and, if these thresholds are not met and no CVR payment is due for any of these years, but if SYFOVRE® achieves $2 billion in annual global net sales in the 2031 calendar year, a cash payment of $4 per share. Upon the successful completion of the tender offer, Biogen will acquire all remaining Apellis shares that are not tendered into the tender offer through a second-step merger at the same consideration.
The transaction, which was approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is subject to successful completion of the tender offer, customary closing conditions, and the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals.
About Geographic Atrophy (GA)
Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration and a leading cause of blindness worldwide, impacting more than one million Americans and five million people worldwide.1,2 It is a progressive and irreversible disease caused by the growth of lesions, which destroys the retinal cells responsible for vision. Vision loss caused by GA severely impairs independence and quality of life by making it difficult to participate in daily activities. While rates of progression vary between patients, on average, it takes 2.5 years for GA lesions to start impacting the fovea, which is responsible for central vision.3
About C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G) and Primary Immune-Complex Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN)
C3G and primary IC-MPGN are rare and debilitating kidney diseases that can lead to kidney failure. Excessive C3 deposits are a key marker of disease activity, which can lead to kidney inflammation, damage, and failure. Approximately 50% of people living with C3G and primary IC-MPGN suffer from kidney failure within five to 10 years of diagnosis, requiring a burdensome kidney transplant or lifelong dialysis therapy.4-6 Additionally, approximately 90% of patients who previously received a kidney transplant will experience disease recurrence.7
About SYFOVRE® (pegcetacoplan injection)
SYFOVRE® (pegcetacoplan injection) is the first-ever approved therapy for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to AMD. By targeting C3, SYFOVRE is designed to provide comprehensive control of the complement cascade, part of the body’s immune system. SYFOVRE is approved in the United States for the treatment of GA secondary to age-related macular degeneration.
About EMPAVELI®/Aspaveli® (pegcetacoplan)
EMPAVELI®/Aspaveli® (pegcetacoplan) is a targeted C3 therapy designed to regulate excessive activation of the complement cascade, part of the body’s immune system, which can lead to the onset and progression of many serious diseases. It is the first treatment approved in the United States for C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) or primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) in patients 12 years of age or older, to reduce proteinuria. EMPAVELI/Aspaveli® is also approved for the treatment of adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in the United States, European Union, and other countries globally, and for the treatment of C3G and primary IC-MPGN in the European Union and other countries globally. EMPAVELI is being evaluated for the treatment of additional rare diseases.
About Biogen
Founded in 1978, Biogen is a leading biotechnology company that pioneers innovative science to deliver new medicines to transform patients’ lives and to create value for shareholders and our communities. We apply deep understanding of human biology and leverage different modalities to advance first-in-class treatments or therapies that deliver superior outcomes. Our approach is to take bold risks, balanced with return on investment to deliver long-term growth.
About Apellis
Apellis is a global biopharmaceutical company leading the way in complement science to develop life-changing therapies for some of the most challenging diseases patients face. We ushered in the first new class of complement medicine in 15 years and now have two C3-targeting medicines approved to treat four serious diseases. Breakthroughs for patients include the first-ever therapy for geographic atrophy, a leading cause of blindness, and the first treatment for patients 12 and older with C3G or primary IC-MPGN, two severe, rare kidney diseases. We believe we have only begun to unlock the potential of targeting C3 across many serious diseases.
References:
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Rudnicka AR, Jarrar Z, Wormald R, et al. Age and gender variations in age-related macular degeneration prevalence in populations of European ancestry: a meta analysis. Ophthalmology 2012;119:571–580.
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Wong WL, Su X, Li X, et al. Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2014;2:e106–116.
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Lindblad AS, et al, and AREDS Research Group. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(9):1168-1174.
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Smith RJH, et al. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2019;15(3):129-143.
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Servais A, et al. Kidney Int. 2012;82(4):454-464.
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Zand L, et al. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2014;25(5):1110-1117.
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Tarragón, B, et al. C3 Glomerulopathy Recurs Early after Kidney Transplantation in Serial Biopsies Performed within the First 2 Years after Transplantation. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. August 2024; 19(8)1005-1015.