Viatris Inc. Completes Acquisition of Aculys Pharma, Gains Rights to Pitolisant and Spydia

Viatris Inc. has acquired Aculys Pharma, Inc. for the rights to develop and commercialize Pitolisant and Spydia, two CNS therapy assets. The acquisition has been completed, and Viatris has gained rights to Spydia Nasal Spray in Japan and certain Asia-Pacific regions. Truist initiated coverage of Viatris with a Buy rating and a $15 price target, citing the company's market-leading portfolio, progressive generics foothold, and robust pipeline.

Viatris Inc. (Nasdaq: VTRS) has completed the acquisition of Aculys Pharma, Inc., gaining exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Pitolisant and Spydia, two Central Nervous System (CNS) therapy assets. The acquisition is part of Viatris' strategy to strengthen its presence in Japan and target unmet medical needs in the region.

Under the terms of the agreement, Viatris has secured exclusive rights to Spydia Nasal Spray in Japan and certain Asia-Pacific regions. The drug, developed by Neurelis, Inc., is the first intranasal anti-seizure medication approved in Japan for the treatment of status epilepticus. Viatris will leverage its deep commercial infrastructure in Japan and longstanding expertise in CNS therapy to bring these innovative treatments to more patients in need.

The acquisition also includes the rights to Pitolisant, a selective/inverse agonist of the histamine H3 receptor. Pitolisant has shown promising results in Phase 3 clinical trials in Japan for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy in adult patients with narcolepsy. Viatris aims to file for marketing approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan for Pitolisant by the end of 2025.

Truist Financial recently initiated coverage of Viatris with a Buy rating and a $15 price target, citing the company's market-leading portfolio, progressive generics foothold, and robust pipeline. The analyst noted that the acquisition of Aculys Pharma is a strategic move that aligns with Viatris' commitment to grow in areas where it can make the greatest impact.

Viatris' expanded portfolio in Japan now includes Effexor for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), selatogrel in Acute MI, Nefecon in IgA nephropathy, cenerimod in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and Tyrvaya in dry eye disease, all of which have pivotal Phase 3 trials currently ongoing. The company's global centers in Pittsburgh, Shanghai, and Hyderabad, India, support its mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life.