Zydus to acquire US-based Assertio for $166.4 M to support oncology therapies

image credit- freepik

Ahmedabad-based Zydus Lifesciences has announced that Zydus Worldwide DMCC, a subsidiary of the company, has signed a definitive agreement through  its wholly owned acquisition subsidiary Zara Merger Sub Inc. with Assertio Holdings, Inc. a US-based pharmaceutical company focused on specialty and oncology supportive-care therapies, to acquire all outstanding shares of Assertio for $23.50 per share in cash, representing total consideration of approximately $166.4 million on a fully-diluted basis, calculated using the treasury stock method.

The acquisition provides Zydus with an established US specialty oncology commercial platform, anchored by Assertio’s presence in oncology supportive care. Assertio’s portfolio includes ROLVEDON^® (eflapegrastim‑xnst), approved as a Biologics License Application (BLA) by USFDA for long‑acting G‑CSF biologic for the prevention of febrile neutropenia in adult cancer patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

ROLVEDON^® is administered once per chemotherapy cycle in the oncology supportive‑care market. Zydus intends to leverage Assertio’s focused commercial infrastructure and oncology relationships to build and expand its specialty oncology presence in the US.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Zydus will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Assertio common stock. 

The tender offer is expected to commence within five business days following the date of the merger agreement. The transaction is expected to close in the financial year 2026-27, subject to satisfaction of all closing conditions.

Paul Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving legal counsel to Zydus. Moelis & Company LLC is serving as financial advisor to Assertio and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is serving as its legal counsel.