===Ariad Pharma (ARIA) to be acquired by Takeda (TKPYY) for $24/share or $5.2 bln

    

Ariad Pharma to be acquired by Takeda (TKPYY) for $24/share in cash, or approximately $5.2 bln : The transaction is a compelling opportunity for Takeda shareholders. It will provide immediate revenue, bring considerable long-term revenue potential and deliver synergy savings. ARIAD provided calendar year 2016 revenue guidance for Iclusig of $170-180 million, and Takeda expects significant long-term revenue potential from the two lead assets. Takeda projects the acquisition of ARIAD to be accretive to Underlying Core Earnings by FY2018 and broadly neutral in FY2017. Strong revenue growth and synergy savings will offset increased sales and marketing costs for the brigatinib launch. The transaction is expected to close by the end of February 2017.

=Ariad Pharm (ARIA) reported earnings on Thur 28 Jul 2016 (b/o)

Ariad Pharm beats by $0.70, beats on revs  :

• Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.59 per share, $0.70 better than the single analyst estimate of ($0.11); revenues rose 133.0% year/year to $68.13 mln vs the $62.11 mln Capital IQ Consensus.
• As of June 30, 2016, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $278.5 million, compared to $168.3 million at March 31, 2016 and $242.3 million at December 31, 2015.
• Iclusig
  • ARIAD has submitted the four-year PACE data to the FDA and other health authorities as a label supplement, with an FDA action date in the fourth quarter of this year. Patient enrollment is ongoing in the OPTIC and OPTIC-2L clinical trials in patients with resistant CP-CML. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) submitted a new drug application (:NDA) to the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (:PMDA) seeking approval for Iclusig for the treatment of resistant or intolerant chronic myeloid leukemia (:CML) and Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL). This marketing application was submitted in early 2016, with an anticipated action date in third quarter 2016, and reimbursement and launch expected in late 2016 or early 2017.
• Brigatinib
  • ARIAD initiated the New Drug Application (:NDA) submission for brigatinib to the FDA for patients with ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (:NSCLC) who are resistant to crizotinib. The Company will be seeking accelerated approval for brigatinib from the FDA and plans to request a priority review of the application. We anticipate completion of the rolling submission in the third quarter of this year.
  • The ALTA 1L randomized, front-line clinical trial of brigatinib opened to patient enrollment in early April and patient enrollment is underway. This global, Phase 3 trial is designed to compare brigatinib and crizotinib in patients with ALK+ NSCLC who have not received prior ALK inhibitors. Full enrollment is expected in 2018.