Grünenthal, a pharmaceutical company, has agreed to purchase Stivarga, an oral medication used to treat advanced cancers, from Bayer AG. The deal could cost up to €375 million and is expected to be finalized by late 2026 or early 2027. Grünenthal explained that this purchase aligns with their goal of acquiring well-established medicines that address important medical needs and support the company’s long-term growth.
Stivarga is currently approved in over 90 countries for treating three types of cancer: metastatic colorectal cancer (a type of bowel cancer that has spread), hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer), and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (a rare cancer of the digestive system). The drug is used in patients who have already tried other treatments or cannot receive them.
Grünenthal’s CEO, Gabriel Baertschi, shared his thoughts on the acquisition: “This purchase is a good strategic move for our company. It fits perfectly with our plan to buy medicines that meet clear medical needs and help us grow over time.” He also mentioned that Stivarga is already widely used in patient care, and the deal will benefit Grünenthal’s business right away. By using their experience in sales and operations, the company believes it can further improve the value of Stivarga and support its future growth.
However, the exclusive rights to sell Stivarga are expected to end in 2029 in the European Union and in 2030 in the United States. Grünenthal estimates that Stivarga could add up to €100 million to their profits for the year ending December 31, 2027, if the deal closes by the end of 2026 or early 2027 and the full year is included in their financial reports.
This acquisition is part of a series of recent purchases that have expanded Grünenthal’s portfolio of established medicines. These include global rights to Nebido (a treatment for low testosterone), rights to Cialis in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia (a medication for erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostate), European rights to Crestor (a cholesterol-lowering drug) and Nexium (a medication for acid reflux), and global rights to Vimovo (a pain reliever), Zomig (a migraine treatment), and Qutenza (a pain patch for nerve-related pain). The company also acquired Grünenthal Meds and Valinor Pharma, adding Movantik (a medication for opioid-induced constipation) to its offerings.
Grünenthal has invested about €2.6 billion in successful business purchases since 2017.