Merz Enters Asset Purchase Agreement With a US-Based Biotech Company
2.4.2024 09:28:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Merz Therapeutics, a business of Frankfurt-based Merz Group, has entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire two commercial medicines from NASDAQ-listed Acorda Therapeutics. Closing of the transaction would significantly contribute to the accelerated growth strategy of Merz Therapeutics.
“Our specialty-neurology focused business Merz Therapeutics has developed very well in recent years. This investment would add significantly to Merz Therapeutics growth strategy and expand our portfolio in the field of movement disorders and neurodegeneration. In addition, it will strengthen the market position in North America” says Jörg Bergler, COO of the Merz Group. "We are excited about the development of Merz Therapeutics and are convinced that the purchase of the two drugs - one for the treatment of OFF phases of Parkinson's disease (PD) and one for the treatment of gait disorders in multiple sclerosis - would be of great value to both physicians and patients."
The acquisition will be processed through a court structured 363 sale process under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, where Merz Therapeutics will provide the opening in the auction. The purchase price offered by Merz is USD 185 million. The completion of the sale process is expected in June 2024, with any sale subject to court approval.
For the family-owned Merz Group, headquartered in Frankfurt, this investment would be the third transaction in the US in just over 10 years and the second time with a NASDAQ-listed company. "Merz has grown strongly in recent years - organically, but also through strategic acquisitions, especially in North America. We have solid experience in both the acquisition and integration of US companies or products. As a German-based but global company, we are very interested in innovative acquisitions, on a global scale," concludes Jörg Bergler.
Stefan König, CEO of Merz Therapeutics, adds, “As a patient-focused, innovative company we recognize the responsibility of providing continued patient care and support for Acorda’s well-established and innovative therapies and see this as an optimal potential portfolio expansion that underscores our ambition in key therapeutic areas.”
About Merz Group
Merz Group is a global, diversified company in the healthcare sector based in Frankfurt, Germany. Family-owned for over 116 years, the company is distinguished by its commitment to innovation, long-term perspective, and focus on profitable growth. Merz Group includes the businesses Merz Aesthetics, Merz Therapeutics, Merz Consumer Care, Merz Real Estate, and Merz Financial Investments. The company employs 4,337 people (as of the 22/23 financial year) in 28 countries worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.merz.com.
About Merz Therapeutics
Merz Therapeutics GmbH is dedicated to improving the lives of patients around the world. With its relentless research, development, and culture of innovation, Merz Therapeutics strives to serve unmet patient needs and realize better outcomes. Merz Therapeutics seeks to address the unique needs of people who suffer from movement disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, liver disease, and other health conditions that severely impact patients’ quality of life.
Merz Therapeutics is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany and is represented in more than 90 countries, with a North America affiliate based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Merz Therapeutics GmbH is part of the Merz Group. Please visit www.merztherapeutics.com
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240401849394/en/
Contact information
Media Contact
Merz Asset Management Holding GmbH & Co. KG
Communications
Karolina Dzeko-Balke
Telephone number: +49 (0) 69 1503 2749
E-mail: karolina.dzeko-balke@merz.de
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Reply Signs Strategic Collaboration Agreement with AWS to Accelerate AI-Driven Cloud Transformation2.4.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Reply [EXM, STAR: REY] announced today that it has signed a strategic collaboration agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to accelerate the adoption of cloud and artificial intelligence solutions across key international markets. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260402597802/en/ This strategic collaboration agreement further reinforces Reply’s commitment to enable organizations across industries to harness the full potential of cloud and artificial intelligence technologies. At the core of the SCA is a strong focus on Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI. Leveraging the deep expertise of its specialized companies - Comsysto Reply, Data Reply, Sense Reply, and Storm Reply - Reply supports organizations in designing and deploying enterprise-grade GenAI solutions, including agentic AI systems for autonomous workflows, domain-specialized models for vertical industries, and governance frameworks aligne
Bending Spoons renews tech scholarship for women with €100,000 commitment2.4.2026 10:11:00 EEST | Press release
Bending Spoons today opened applications for the 2026 edition of its Women in Computer Science Scholarship. The program offers twenty scholarships, each worth €5,000, to university students pursuing technology degrees across Europe and the United Kingdom. This year’s recipients will also be invited to a two-day networking event in Milan in October, fully covered by the company. The initiative is part of a broader set of programs Bending Spoons runs to recognize and support the next generation of technology talent, including merit-based scholarships, networking events, and student competitions. "The students of computer science today will define what the field looks like in the years ahead," said Eva Milenkovska, talent manager at Bending Spoons and lead of the scholarship initiative. "This scholarship is about recognizing the women who are pushing themselves to excel and to help shape the future of the industry." This is the fourth time Bending Spoons has offered this specific scholars
SecurityTech on the Rise: G+D Reports Strong Order Intake and High Resilience in 20252.4.2026 09:30:00 EEST | Press release
In fiscal year 2025, Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) reaffirmed its position as global leader in SecurityTech for mission-critical infrastructure. In a market where security is becoming essential for technological and societal stability, G+D demonstrates strong growth prospects. In 2025, G+D achieved a record order intake of €3.6 billion (+8%). Revenue increased to €3.2 billion (+1%), although exchange rate effects dampened growth. The key figures underscore the company's strong operational performance and profitability: Adjusted EBIT reached a new high of €211 million. The substantial free cash flow of €119 million provides additional leeway for future investments. With its equally strong segments – Digital Security, Financial Platforms and Currency Technology – G+D boasts a resilient portfolio that effectively cushions market volatility. The company's success reflects this strategic strength, combining technological depth, a global presence and operational reliability. G+D is making targeted
Bona Releases 2025 Sustainability Report2.4.2026 09:05:00 EEST | Press release
Bona®, a global, family-owned company that supplies products for installing, renovating, maintaining, and restoring premium floors, has published its 2025 Sustainability Report. The report outlines progress across Bona’s three sustainability pillars – Respect our Planet, Care for People, and Trusted Business – and highlights the continued integration of sustainability into all aspects of its operations. “Our business is built on extending the life of existing flooring materials and reducing the need for replacement,” says Lidija Broström, Interim Chief Executive Officer at Bona. “At Bona, we are making steady progress in reducing our impact while building a stronger foundation for the future. By working closely with our partners, we aim to drive meaningful change across our value chain and contribute to a more sustainable future.” In 2025, Bona reduced total Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (market-based) by 46% compared to its 2022 baseline, reaching 1,338 tonnes of CO₂—surpassi
The Estée Lauder Companies Fully Establishes Its “One ELC” Operating Model and Reaches Milestone in Its Profit Recovery and Growth Plan2.4.2026 00:00:00 EEST | Press release
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) today announced WPP as its first-ever global media partner, marking a significant advancement of its One ELC operating model, a scalable system designed to operate faster, execute with greater discipline, and drive growth. In fully establishing One ELC, the Company also reached a significant milestone in its Profit Recovery and Growth Plan’s (PRGP) Restructuring Program — a key action plan priority of Beauty Reimagined. Stéphane de La Faverie, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies, said, “With the appointment of WPP as our first-ever global media partner, our One ELC operating model is now fully established. This more unified and scalable system will enable us to be faster, more agile and efficient, and support unlocking additional growth. Together with our execution progress, we are confident that we are on a trajectory to deliver sustainable, profitable long-term growth.” de La Faverie added, “Building on our stro
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom