In a move to expand its position in oncology and rare and orphan disease markets, Baxter International Inc. has agreed to acquire the Oncaspar (pegaspargase) product portfolio from Sigma-Tau Finanziaria S.p.A. The deal includes the marketed biologic treatment Oncaspar, the investigational biologic calaspargase pegol, and an oncology infrastructure with clinical and sales resources.

The Oncaspar transaction is expected to close in the third quarter. By mid-year, Baxter expects to establish the BioScience business as a separate, publicly traded, innovation-oriented biopharmaceutical company, Baxalta Incorporated.

Oncaspar is a first-line biologic used as part of a multi-agent chemotherapy regimen to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is currently marketed in the United States, Germany, Poland, and certain other countries and has approximately $100 million in annual sales. ALL is a rapidly progressing cancer of the white blood cells responsible for more than 80% of childhood leukemia cases, according to information from Baxter.

In addition to the currently marketed formulation of Oncaspar, Baxter BioScience intends to continue the development of a lyophilized formulation, which is being investigated to enhance product stability to support product supply continuity. As part of the acquisition, Baxter BioScience is also acquiring a related new chemical entity calaspargase pegol, a biologic in development for the treatment of ALL with an increased shelf life that is expected to reduce dosing frequency. Further, the company plans to investigate Oncaspar for potential new indications, including in additional ALL patient populations with unmet needs as well as for acute myeloid leukemia.

Source: Baxter