Lundbeck buys Synaptic for $121m
Danish pharmaceutical company H. Lundbeck has agreed to purchase US-based Synaptic Pharmaceutical Corporation for US$121m (Euro 119m), subject to approvals.
Synaptic is a pioneer in the development of pharmaceuticals that target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to achieve superior efficacy and safety in the treatment of clinical disorders such as depression, diabetes and incontinence.
Recently Synaptic has also entered into agreements with Grunenthal on discovering analgesic compounds, and with Kissei Pharmaceutical to identify novel GPCRs that can provide new drug discovery targets for Kissei.
'Acquiring Synaptic will enhance Lundbeck's position in CNS r&d and provide a US base for r&d operations,' said Erik Sprunk-Jansen, president and ceo of Lundbeck.
Meanwhile, British subsidiary Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals has officially opened its new multi-million pound plant at Seal Sands on Teesside. The facility will manufacture escitalopram, the api in Lundbeck's new antidepressant, Cipralex/Lexapro. The new plant incorporates a large-scale SMB unit, believed to be among the largest in the world.
