Pfizer Stock Up, Arena Stock Soars On $6.7 Billion Merger Deal

Covid vaccine shaper Pfizer (PFE) said Monday it plans to get Arena Pharmaceuticals (ARNA) for $100 a share, successful a woody worthy an estimated $6.7 billion. The quality sent Arena banal rocketing and gave a assistance to Pfizer stock.

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The woody fundamentally doubles the worth of Arena shares, and the banal rapidly approached that level successful greeting trades connected the stock marketplace today. Arena shares soared 83.7% to 91.73 successful caller action. Pfizer stock, which precocious broke retired of a cupful basal and present trades successful a bargain zone, climbed 3.2% to 54.46.

In a property release, Pfizer and Arena said some boards person unanimously approved the deal. Arena is simply a objective signifier institution processing drugs to dainty immuno-inflammatory diseases. The areas see gastroenterology, dermatology and cardiology.

One cardinal cause Arena is processing is etrasimod. The cause presently is undergoing Phase 3 investigating to dainty ulcerative colitis, Crohn's illness and atopic dermatitis, a tegument rash. It's besides successful Phase 2 studies for the attraction of eosinophilic esophagitis. That's a buildup of achromatic humor cells successful the esophagus. And Phase 2 studies are ongoing for etrasimod to dainty alopecia areata, oregon patchy hairsbreadth loss.

"There remains a immense unmet request for patients with immuno-inflammatory diseases," Mike Gladstone, president of Pfizer's inflammation and immunology unit, said successful a league telephone with analysts. He aboriginal added: "We request to proceed to innovate to conscionable the needs of these patients."

Gladstone said etrasimod has the imaginable to beryllium a "best-in-class" cause successful presumption of effectiveness. He called it a cardinal constituent for the deal. He added it brings worth to holders of some Arena and Pfizer stock.

Pfizer said it planned to concern the transaction with existing cash. The woody is contingent connected regulatory support arsenic good arsenic support from holders of Arena stock.