Lantheus Acquires Life Molecular Imaging with All-Cash Upfront Payment

Lantheus Holdings, Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire Life Molecular Imaging Ltd. in an all-cash transaction consisting of an upfront payment of $350 million and up to an additional $400 million in potential earn-out and milestone payments. Life Molecular is dedicated to advancing novel PET radiopharmaceutical diagnostics.

The acquisition is expected to immediately enhance Lantheus’ near and long-term growth profile and establish a commercial Alzheimer disease (AD) franchise with the addition of Neuraceq (florbetaben F18 injection). Neuraceq is a globally approved1, F-18 radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for PET imaging of the brain to estimate β-amyloid neuritic plaque density in adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for AD and other causes of cognitive decline. Neuraceq can be used to confirm eligibility for new AD therapies. Life Molecular also provides robust R&D capabilities, a strong commercial infrastructure, and an established international presence, which Lantheus plans to utilize to accelerate the development, advancement, and commercialization of the combined company’s pipeline. The transaction is expected to be accretive to Lantheus’ Adjusted Earnings Per Share within 12 months of close.

“This acquisition aligns with our strategy to drive long-term growth and value creation by investing in high-potential, complementary assets and R&D capabilities to strengthen our radiopharmaceutical leadership,” said Brian Markison, CEO of Lantheus. “This is a natural extension of our existing RM2 partnership, and we are ideally equipped to collectively grow Neuraceq and advance Life Molecular’s diverse radiopharmaceutical assets. We are excited to welcome their exceptionally talented team, whose expertise will further enhance our capabilities in the development and commercialization of innovative radiodiagnostic solutions. With our combined resources and financial strength, we are well-positioned to deliver a meaningful impact for patients and clinicians worldwide.”

“Life Healthcare is proud to have been the steward for Life Molecular and is pleased to have found a partner who recognizes the value of the business we have nurtured,” said Peter Wharton-Hood, Chief Executive of Life Healthcare. “We invested in LMI with the vision of developing solutions that can improve patient outcomes, and we are confident in Lantheus’ ability to accelerate its growth.”

The acquisition of Neuraceq, a globally marketed radioactive agent that assists in diagnosing cognitive impairments, including AD and dementia, is expected to accelerate Lantheus’ revenue growth. With the combined company’s operational and commercial expertise, Lantheus expects to maximize access to Neuraceq for the approximately 55 million people around the world who are living with AD or mild cognitive impairment.

This transaction builds on Lantheus’ June 2024 acquisition of the global rights to LMI’s clinical-stage radiotherapeutic and radiodiagnostic pair, 177Lu-DOTA-RM2 and 68Ga-DOTA-RM2, which target gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) for prostate, breast and other cancers. This theranostic pair strengthened Lantheus’ oncology pipeline and will potentially allow the Company to enter new disease areas.