Angelini Pharma to Acquire Catalyst Pharmaceuticals for 4.1 Billion USD (3.5 Billion Euros), Entering the U.S. Market and Consolidating its Leadership in Brain Health and Rare Disease
- The Boards of Directors of Angelini Pharma and Catalyst Pharmaceuticals have unanimously approved the acquisition of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals at 31.50 USD per share in cash, for a total consideration of approximately 4.1 billion USD, representing a premium of 28% to the 30-day volume-weighted average trading price as of April 22, 2026
- The transaction marks Angelini Pharma's entry into the U.S. market, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Brain Health and its dedication to people living with Rare Diseases
- Closing is expected in the third quarter of 2026
ROME and CORAL GABLES, Fla., May 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Angelini Pharma S.p.A. ("Angelini Pharma"), an international pharmaceutical company and part of the Angelini Industries Group, and Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Catalyst") (NASDAQ:CPRX), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on in-licensing, developing, and commercializing novel medicines for patients living with rare and difficult-to-treat diseases, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Angelini Pharma has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of Catalyst for 31.50 USD per share in cash, for a total equity value of approximately 4.1 billion USD (equivalent to 3.5 billion euros) which represents a 21% premium to Catalyst's unaffected closing share price on April 22, 2026, the last trading day before market signs that the transaction had become public information, as well as a 28% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average trading price to that unaffected date. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in the Angelini Group's history — a group with over 100 years of history, chaired by Thea Paola Angelini, a fourth-generation member of the Angelini family — led by Sergio Marullo di Condojanni, Chief Executive Officer of Angelini Pharma.
The transaction will be carried out with the participation of Blackstone funds and select international partners, and will be financed with the support of BNP Paribas, acting as Sole Global Coordinator and Underwriter of the financing package.
Founded in 2002 and listed on Nasdaq since 2006, Catalyst has built a robust portfolio of products focused on the treatment of rare neuromuscular and neurological diseases: FIRDAPSE® (amifampridine), the only evidence-based treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in patients aged six and above; AGAMREE® (vamorolone) a novel corticosteroid approved by the FDA in 2023 for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in patients aged 2 and above; and FYCOMPA® (perampanel), an antiepileptic drug approved for the treatment of partial-onset seizures and primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures, the U.S. rights to which were acquired from Eisai in 2023.
Following completion of the acquisition, Angelini Pharma intends to integrate Catalyst's portfolio and exceptional commercial infrastructure with its own expertise and products in Brain Health to develop a next-generation therapeutic platform in Rare Diseases. This transaction reinforces the commitment Angelini Pharma has built over recent years through products such as Ontozry® and high-profile scientific collaborations. Catalyst's portfolio is expected to significantly strengthen the company's strategic objectives, growing its presence in the U.S. as part of a balanced strategy that aims to develop the North American market while continuing to strengthen its core business in Europe. Angelini Pharma's continued industrial presence in Italy will remain a strategic asset as a valuable production and scientific center within the combined company's global operations.
Sergio Marullo di Condojanni, CEO of Angelini Pharma, commented: "Five years ago, we embarked on a profound transformation of Angelini Pharma — organizational, scientific and strategic — with the ambition to build a company capable of competing at the highest global level. On one hand, we continued to invest in our traditional portfolio; on the other, we chose to focus on central nervous system disorders, with the goal of addressing an unmet medical need that is, unfortunately, growing significantly. We invested in innovation through the development of a high-value asset pipeline, including collaborations with leading partners such as Blackstone Life Sciences in GRIN Therapeutics. Today, we take another significant step with the acquisition of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, which we believe will establish Angelini Pharma as a relevant global player in neurological Rare Diseases. Entering the U.S. market will allow us to acquire the scale and capabilities needed to continue this journey. Patient care remains at the heart of our vision. We continue to look ahead with determination, backed by a clear strategy and the drive to keep growing on a global scale. We are proud of a transaction that demonstrates, once again, the dynamism of the Italian pharmaceutical industry."
Rich Daly, President and CEO of Catalyst, commented: "This is a pivotal and transformative moment for Catalyst, our team, and the patients we serve. By combining our unique capabilities in rare diseases with Angelini's proven global reach, we will create a stronger, scalable, and robust rare disease platform to expand access to life-changing therapies worldwide. For shareholders, this transaction delivers immediate and certain cash value through a compelling premium. We are proud of the incredible foundation our team has built and are confident that together with Angelini, we can enhance patient support, accelerate innovation, and continue to drive sustainable long-term value for all stakeholders."
Media Contacts
Angelini Pharma
Roberto Scrivo
Chief External Affairs Communication & Sustainability Officer
+39 348 454 6502
Roberto.scrivo@angelinipharma.com
Chiara Antoniucci
Global External & Internal Communication Director
+39 347 713 3926
chiara.antoniucci@angelinipharma.com
Federica Marcelli
Italy Media Communications Manager
+39 3383924138
federica.marcelli@angelinipharma.com
Media
Jemini Sedani
Real Chemistry, Group Director, Media & Engagement
+44 (0)7940 594788
jsedani@realchemistry.com
Catalyst
Investors
Melissa Kendis, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(305) 420-3200
IR@catalystpharma.com
Media
Jed Repko / Mahmoud Siddig
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449
