Merck & Co. has acquired Acceleron Pharma, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based bio/pharmaceutical company, for an approximate total equity value of $11.5 billion.

Acceleron focuses on using the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily of proteins that play a role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and repair. The company’s lead drug candidate, sotatercept, is in Phase III development for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a blood vessel disorder.

In addition to sotatercept, Acceleron’s portfolio includes Reblozyl (luspatercept-aamt), an erythroid maturation recombinant fusion protein approved in the US, Europe, Canada, and Australia for treating anemia in certain rare blood disorders. Reblozyl is being developed and commercialized through a global collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb.

Source: Merck & Co. and Acceleron Pharma