Enzon Pharma to sell specialty pharma biz to Sigma-Tau Group for US$ 300 mn

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its specialty pharmaceutical business to the Sigma-Tau Group for US$ 300 million plus an additional amount of up to US$ 27 million based on success milestones. Enzon will also receive royalties of 5 to 10 per cent on incremental net sales above a 2009 baseline amount from Enzon’s four marketed specialty pharmaceutical products through 2014.

Enzon’s specialty pharmaceutical business includes four marketed products: Oncaspar, Adagen, DepoCyt, and Abelcet, as well as the manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, Indiana which will be purchased by a US subsidiary of Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc (Maryland). Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals will distribute the products in the US market.

After the sale of these assets, Enzon’s businesses will consist of its royalties, Peg SN38 and our LNA and PEG technology platforms. “Enzon’s Board of Directors is evaluating options to return most of the value of this sale to shareholders,” stated Alex Denner, chairman. “We will refocus the company on our royalty business, pipeline, and technology platforms.”