France's Sanofi to Buy Biotech Firm Synthorx for $2.5 Billion .
Dominique Vidalon and Christian Lowe .
PARIS (Reuters) - France's Sanofi (SASY.PA) on Monday agreed to buy California-headquartered biotechnology firm Synthorx (THOR.O) in a cash deal worth about $2.5 billion as it steps up a push in the lucrative field of cancer drugs under its new chief executive.
Sanofi has offered to buy all the outstanding shares of Synthorx common stock for $68 per share in cash, or a 172% premium to Synthorx's closing price on Dec. 6, 2019.
"This acquisition fits perfectly with our strategy to build a portfolio of high-quality assets and to lead with innovation, as you will hear at our Capital Markets Day tomorrow, December 10," Sanofi Chief Executive Paul Hudson said in a statement.
"Additionally it is aligned with our goal to build our oncology franchise with potentially practice-changing medicines and novel combinations."
Synthorx, which posted a 2018 net loss of $56.6 million, is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on therapies for people with cancer and auto-immune disorders, according to the company's website.
HIGH PRICE?
Sanofi expects to complete the acquisition in the first quarter of 2020.
By 0946 GMT, Sanofi shares were down 0.7% at 82.94 euros.
"The acquisition price is full at a 172% premium to Synthorx Dec. 6 close price and is a lot to pay for an early stage pipeline (lead drug THOR-707 is in phase 1 trial," Liberum analysts said in a note.