NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on rare diseases, has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Natpara (parathyroid hormone) as an adjunct to calcium and vitamin D to control hypocalcemia in patients with hypoparathyroidism. Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone, or PTH. Natpara, a bioengineered replica of human PTH, is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2015.

In Europe, the European Medicines Agency has validated and initiated its review of NPS Pharma’s marketing authorization application for Natpar.

Earlier this year, Shire agreed to acquire NPS for $46.00 per share in cash for a total consideration of approximately $5.2 billion. The transaction has been approved unanimously by the boards of directors of both Shire and NPS Pharma. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015, subject to customary closing conditions.

Source; NPS Pharmaceuticals