Grünenthal acquires Valinor and US rights to constipation drug for $250M

Pain management company Grünenthal announced on Monday its acquisition of Valinor Pharma for $250 million in available liquidity. This strategic move allows Grünenthal to secure additional rights to Movantik (naloxegol), a treatment designed for opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults suffering from chronic non-cancer pain. Prior to this acquisition, the German drugmaker already possessed the European rights to the oral mu-opioid receptor antagonist, courtesy of a 2023 joint venture with Kyowa Kirin. With the newest agreement, which includes royalties, Grünenthal now becomes the global owner of Movantik, excluding Canada.

In the previous year, Valinor generated $200 million in U.S. sales from Movantik. According to Grünenthal CEO Gabriel Baertschi, Movantik is a "perfect fit" for the company because it complements their existing customer base and product portfolio. He emphasized that the acquisition would bolster the company’s position in the pain management market.