In this photo illustration, the American multinational pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer logo is seen displayed on a smartphone with an economic stock exchange index graph in the background. (Photo Illustration by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Pfizer has entered a $43 billion merger agreement with biotechnology firm Seagen. The deal is designed to bolster the pharmaceutical giant's efforts to fight cancer by scaling up the production of a promising antibody drug.
“Pfizer is deploying its financial resources to advance the battle against cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide with a significant impact on public health,” said CEO Dr. Albert Bourla.
“Together, Pfizer and Seagen seek to accelerate the next generation of cancer breakthroughs and bring new solutions to patients by combining the power of Seagen’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology with the scale and strength of Pfizer’s capabilities and expertise."
ADCs are designed to kill cancer cells and limit off-target toxicities. Bourla noted that oncology is the "largest growth driver in global medicine," and that the deal would improve Pfzier's position in the space.
Seagen forecast $2.2 billion in revenue in 2023, up 12 percent from last year. Pfizer said the company could contribute $10 billion in risk-adjusted revenues by 2030. This would supplement the company's existing oncology division, which brought in $12 billion in revenue in 2022 with a combination of prostate cancer and the breast cancer treatments.
“Pfizer shares our steadfast commitment to patients, and this combination is a testament to the passion, dedication and talent of the Seagen team to achieve our mission to discover, develop, and commercialize transformative cancer medicines that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” said Seagan CEO David Epstein.
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A Michigan judge is putting sponges in the hands of shoplifters and ordering them to wash cars in a Walmart parking lot when spring weather arrives. Genesee County Judge Jeffrey Clothier hopes the unusual form of community service discourages people from stealing from Walmart. The judge also wants to reward shoppers with free car washes. Clothier says he began ordering “Walmart wash” sentences this week for shoplifting at the store in Grand Blanc Township. He believes 75 to 100 people eventually will be ordered to wash cars this spring. Clothier says he will be washing cars alongside them when the time comes.