Jazz Pharmaceuticals to Acquire Chimerix for $935M in Rare Oncology Expansion

• Jazz Pharmaceuticals has announced a $935 million all-cash acquisition of Chimerix, expanding its rare oncology pipeline.

• The transaction includes dordaviprone, a potential first-in-class treatment for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, currently under FDA Priority Review.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Chimerix for approximately $935 million in cash. Under the terms, Jazz will pay $8.55 per share, representing a 72% premium on Chimerix’s closing price on March 4, 2025. The acquisition has been approved by both companies and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.

Chimerix’s lead clinical asset, dordaviprone, is a first-in-class small molecule therapy for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, a rare, high-grade brain tumour affecting children and young adults. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for this indication beyond radiation. The drug’s New Drug Application (NDA) for accelerated approval in recurrent cases was recently accepted by the FDA, which has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of August 18, 2025. Dordaviprone is also being evaluated in the Phase 3 ACTION trial for newly diagnosed, non-recurrent patients following radiation therapy.

“If approved, dordaviprone has the potential to rapidly become a standard of care for a rare oncology disease,” said Bruce Cozadd, chairman and CEO of Jazz Pharmaceuticals. “We are encouraged by the clinical trial results to date and look forward to closing the acquisition and working with our new colleagues from Chimerix.”

Following the transaction, Jazz plans to integrate Chimerix’s team and leverage its commercial expertise to drive the launch of dordaviprone, should it receive FDA approval. The company anticipates the acquisition will strengthen its rare disease portfolio while providing a long-term revenue stream, as dordaviprone holds patent protection until 2037 with potential for extension.

The acquisition will be financed through Jazz’s existing cash and investments. The deal remains subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholder approval and regulatory clearances. Chimerix’s Board of Directors has unanimously recommended that shareholders tender their shares in the offer.