Roche announces Anadys Pharmaceuticals takeover

Roche has announced that it is to acquire Anadys Pharmaceuticals in a deal valued at around $230 million (146.28 million pounds).

The definitive merger agreement is expected to close later this year and will allow Roche to expand its presence in the hepatitis C market, which is Anadys' area of expertise.

San Diego-based Anadys specialises in the development of oral small molecule therapeutics for hepatitis C virus infection, with its lead candidate setrobuvir currently undergoing phase II trials in combination with Roche's Pegasys and Copegus.

In addition to this drug, Anadys is developing ANA773, a therapy that is currently in phase I studies and could prove efficacious against chronic infections and cancer as well as hepatitis C.

Jean-Jacques Garaud, Roche's global head of pharmaceutical research and early development, said: "Our aim is to offer physicians and hepatitis patients a powerful combination of therapies that bring us closer to a cure, even without the use of interferon."

Earlier this week, the company published its financial report for the third quarter of 2011, during which it experienced growth at constant exchange rates, when factoring out Tamiflu sales.