Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

BIIB118 Acquisition

In March 2020 we acquired BIIB118 (CK1 inhibitor), a novel CNS-penetrant small molecule inhibitor of casein kinase 1, for the potential treatment of patients with behavioral and neurological symptoms across various psychiatric and neurological diseases from Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer). We are developing BIIB118 for the potential treatment of irregular sleep wake rhythm disorder in Parkinson’s disease and plan to develop BIIB118 for the potential treatment of sundowning in Alzheimer's disease.

In connection with this acquisition, we made an upfront payment of $75.0 million to Pfizer, which was accounted for as an asset acquisition and recorded as acquired IPR&D in our consolidated statements of income as BIIB118 has not yet reached technological feasibility. We may also pay Pfizer up to $635.0 million in potential additional development and commercialization milestone payments as well as tiered royalties in the high single digits to sub-teens.

Acquisition of Nightstar Therapeutics plc

In June 2019 we completed our acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Nightstar Therapeutics plc (NST), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on adeno-associated virus treatments for inherited retinal disorders. As a result of this acquisition, we added two mid- to late-stage clinical assets, as well as preclinical programs, in ophthalmology. These assets include BIIB111 (timrepigene emparvovec), which is in Phase 3 development for the potential treatment of choroideremia, a rare, degenerative, X-linked inherited retinal disorder that leads to blindness and currently has no approved treatments, and BIIB112 (RPGR gene therapy), which is in Phase 2/3 development for the potential treatment of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, which is a rare inherited retinal disease with no currently approved treatments.

Under the terms of the acquisition, we paid NST shareholders $25.50 in cash for each issued and outstanding NST share, which totaled $847.6 million. In addition, we paid $4.6 million in cash for equity compensation, which is attributable to pre-combination services and is reflected as a component of the total purchase price paid. The fair value of equity compensation attributable to the post-combination service period was $26.2 million, of which $18.4 million was recognized as a charge to selling, general and administrative expense with the remaining $7.8 million as a charge to research and development expense in our consolidated statements of income. These amounts were associated with the accelerated vesting of stock options previously granted to NST employees and were fully paid in cash as of June 30, 2019. We funded this acquisition through available cash and accounted for it as an acquisition of a business. We finalized purchase accounting for this acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The fair value of the IPR&D programs acquired was determined through a probability adjusted discounted cash flow analysis utilizing a discount rate of 12.5%. We recorded IPR&D assets for BIIB111 and BIIB112 at their initial fair values of $480.0 million and $220.0 million, respectively. Some of the more significant assumptions utilized in our asset valuations included the estimated net cash flows for each year for each asset or product, including net revenues, cost of sales, research and development and other operating expenses, the potential regulatory and commercial success risks, competitive trends impacting the asset and each cash flow stream as well as other factors. These fair value measurements were based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 fair value measurements.

We recognized goodwill in relation to the fair value associated with NST workforce's expertise and early research in retinal disorders. We also recognized goodwill in relation to the establishment of a deferred tax liability for the acquired IPR&D intangible assets, which have no tax basis. This deferred tax liability is net of the related impacts on the deferred taxes for GILTI. Goodwill that is tax deductible for GILTI purposes is approximately $60.9 million as of December 31, 2020.

Pro forma results of operations as a result of this acquisition have not been presented as this acquisition is not material to our consolidated statements of income. Subsequent to June 7, 2019, the acquisition date, our results of operations include the results of operations of NST.

BIIB100 Acquisition

In January 2018 we acquired BIIB100 (XP01 inhibitor) from Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Karyopharm). BIIB100 is a Phase 1 investigational oral compound for the potential treatment of certain neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, primarily in ALS. BIIB100 is a novel therapeutic candidate that works by inhibiting a protein known as XPO1, with the goal of reducing inflammation and neurotoxicity, along with increasing neuroprotective responses.

We accounted for this transaction as an asset acquisition as the value being acquired primarily relates to a single asset. In connection with the closing of this transaction, we made an upfront payment of $10.0 million to Karyopharm, which was recorded as acquired IPR&D in our consolidated statements of income as BIIB100 had not yet reached technological feasibility. We may also pay Karyopharm up to $207.0 million in additional milestone payments as well as tiered royalties on potential net commercial sales in the mid-single digit to low-teen percentages.

BIIB104 Acquisition

In April 2018 we acquired BIIB104 (AMPA) from Pfizer. BIIB104 is a first-in-class, Phase 2b ready AMPA receptor potentiator for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. AMPA receptors mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system, a process which can be disrupted in a number of neurological and psychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia.

We accounted for this transaction as an asset acquisition as the value being acquired primarily relates to a single asset. In connection with the closing of this transaction, we made an upfront payment of $75.0 million to Pfizer, which was recorded as acquired IPR&D in our consolidated statements of income as BIIB104 had not yet reached technological feasibility. We may also pay Pfizer up to $515.0 million in total development and commercialization milestone payments as well as tiered royalties on potential net commercial sales in the low to mid-teen percentages.

BIIB110 Acquisition

In July 2018 we acquired BIIB110 (ActRIIA/B ligand trap) and ALG-802 from AliveGen Inc. (AliveGen). BIIB110 and ALG-802 represent novel ways of targeting the myostatin pathway. We initially plan to study BIIB110 in multiple neuromuscular indications, including SMA and ALS.

We accounted for this transaction as an asset acquisition as the value being acquired primarily relates to a single asset. In connection with the closing of this transaction, we made an upfront payment of $27.5 million to AliveGen, which was recorded as acquired IPR&D in our consolidated statements of income as BIIB110 had not yet reached technological feasibility. We may also pay AliveGen up to $535.0 million in additional development and commercialization milestones.