Ascendis Pharma and Royalty Pharma Enter into $150 Million Royalty Funding Agreement

COPENHAGEN, Denmark and NEW YORK, Sept. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascendis Pharma A/S (NASDAQ:ASND) and Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX) today announced that Ascendis Pharma Bone Diseases A/S, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ascendis Pharma A/S, has entered into a $150 million capped synthetic royalty funding agreement with Royalty Pharma based on U.S. net sales of YORVIPATH. "We are pleased to again partner with Royalty Pharma, a leading funder of innovation across the biopharma industry, as we launch YORVIPATH in the U.S. as the first and only FDA approved treatment of hypoparathyroidism in adults," said Jan Mikkelsen, Ascendis Pharma's President and Chief Executive Officer. "This transaction reflects the significant value of YORVIPATH and our commitment to reduce our cost of capital while maintaining flexibility to support our global commercial capabilities." "We are delighted to expand our partnership with Ascendis and provide funding to support the launch of YORVIPATH, an important advancement in treating the underlying cause of hypoparathyroidism in adults," said Pablo Legorreta, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Royalty Pharma. "This is now our second transaction with Ascendis, highlighting our partner centric approach and ability to structure creative, win-win funding solutions, which is a unique aspect of our business model." Under the terms of the agreement, Ascendis receives an upfront payment of $150 million in exchange for a 3% royalty on U.S. net sales of YORVIPATH. The royalty payments to Royalty Pharma will cease upon reaching a multiple of 2.0x, or 1.65x if Royalty Pharma receives royalties in that amount by December 31, 2029. Evercore acted as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins and Mazanti-Andersen acted as legal advisors to Ascendis on the transaction. Goodwin Procter and Fenwick & West acted as legal advisors to Royalty Pharma. About Ascendis Pharma A/SAscendis Pharma is applying its innovative TransCon technology platform to build a leading, fully integrated biopharma company focused on making a meaningful difference in patients' lives. Guided by its core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, Ascendis uses its TransCon technologies to create new and potentially best-in-class therapies. Ascendis is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark and has additional facilities in Europe and the United States. Please visit ascendispharma.com to learn more.  About Royalty Pharma plcFounded in 1996, Royalty Pharma is the largest buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a leading funder of innovation across the biopharmaceutical industry, collaborating with innovators from academic institutions, research hospitals and non-profits through small and mid-cap biotechnology companies to leading global pharmaceutical companies. Royalty Pharma has assembled a portfolio of royalties which entitles it to payments based directly on the top-line sales of many of the industry's leading therapies. Royalty Pharma funds innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry both directly and indirectly - directly when it partners with companies to co-fund late-stage clinical ...