We just got an inside look at the dramatic 10 weeks that sealed a cutting-edge, $4.8 billion biotech acquisition

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The biotech Spark played its suitor, Roche, off against another interested buyer to boost the size of the proposed deal by more than 60%.

about the transaction. Though the other bidders for Spark aren't disclosed, Jefferies analyst Michael Yee has suggested they may have included Pfizer and Novartis, which have partnered with Spark on certain drug programs.Spark started talking to three biopharmaceutical companies, a list that included Roche, between May and August of 2018 about hemophilia A partnerships. The discussions continued on through later in the year.

After an email from Roche CEO Schwan, Spark's Marrazzo said they should talk after the"Super Bowl" of healthcare, the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference held in early January in San Francisco. The filing doesn't name those companies, calling them"Party A" and"Party C." Party A had been involved in the 2018 partnership process. Both were offered presentations from Spark management, which took place in late January.Roche increased its offer, and 'Party C' made a bid

All the while, by the way, Spark was still negotiating a partnership for its hemophilia A programs with a"Party B." The company offered Spark total upfront payments of $450 million, plus other milestone and royalty payments. Spark's board decided to keep talking about the partnership in case the acquisition talks fell through.The deal was sealed on a pivotal Friday

 

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