Jazz Pharmaceuticals Finalizes Acquisition of Chimerix

Chimerix US16934W1062

The biotechnology firm Chimerix has ceased trading on public markets following its full acquisition by Jazz Pharmaceuticals. The company was delisted from the NASDAQ exchange on April 21, 2025, concluding its run as an independent, publicly-traded entity.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals secured the deal by purchasing all outstanding shares of Chimerix at a price of $8.55 per share. The total transaction was valued at approximately $935 million. This offer represented a significant premium for Chimerix investors, as the stock had closed at $4.96 per share the day before the acquisition was announced—a 72% premium.

Strategic Rationale Centered on Oncology Asset

The primary driver behind this strategic move was Chimerix’s lead clinical candidate, Dordaviprone. This drug candidate targets a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer known as H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, a condition with very limited existing treatment options.

In a key development just prior to the acquisition's close, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the marketing application for Dordaviprone and granted it an accelerated review process. The subsequent accelerated approval has been secured. For Jazz Pharmaceuticals, incorporating this asset marks a strategic expansion of its oncology development pipeline.

Integration and Future Commercial Path

With the integration process now complete, the commercial launch and marketing of Dordaviprone under the Jazz Pharmaceuticals banner is the immediate focus. The medication may also qualify for a Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher, a factor that could further enhance the overall value of the acquisition for Jazz.

Furthermore, the drug is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial involving newly diagnosed patients, which holds the potential to broaden its approved uses in the future. For former Chimerix shareholders, the transaction concluded upon their acceptance of the takeover bid. The future development and commercialization of this promising oncology therapy now rests entirely with Jazz Pharmaceuticals.