Legal Scrutiny Intensifies Over AbbVie’s Acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings US15678U1280

The legal fallout from AbbVie's $8.7 billion takeover of Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings is escalating, with another prominent law firm initiating a probe. Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC announced an investigation on Tuesday into potential claims for purchasers of Cerevel securities, urging affected investors to come forward. This development highlights the continuing legal examination surrounding the merger, which was finalized in August 2024.

Central to the ongoing investigations and existing class-action lawsuits, which have been active since early 2025, are allegations of misconduct by Cerevel and certain of its officers and directors prior to the acquisition. The core legal argument contends that Cerevel failed to properly disclose AbbVie's interest in acquiring the company. This alleged failure is said to have been particularly significant ahead of a capital raise conducted in October 2023.

The eventual acquisition price of $45 per share paid by AbbVie was substantially higher than the trading price at that earlier time. Consequently, investors who sold their shares between October 11, 2023, and August 1, 2024, may have done so at artificially depressed prices, according to the claims.

Path Forward for Shareholders

Law firms conducting these investigations are reaching out to former shareholders who held securities prior to October 11, 2023, to assess their potential claims. The progression of these legal actions will be decisive in determining whether compensation is paid and in what amounts. Although Cerevel no longer trades as an independent entity, the scrutiny underscores the long-term ramifications of corporate conduct during major merger and acquisition events.