Pfizer will acquire Anacor Pharmaceuticals in a deal valued at about $5.2 billion.
Anacor's topical treatment for eczema, called crisaborole, is currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration. If approved, Pfizer said it believes peak year sales could reach or exceed $2 billion. Anacor, based in Palo Alto, Calif., also holds the rights to a topical treatment for toenail fungus called Kerydin.
Albert Bourla, group president of Pfizer's global innovative pharma and global vaccines, oncology and consumer health care businesses, said in a written statement that the buyout is attractive because it provides an opportunity to address a significant unmet medical need for a large patient population with eczema. Bourla said that there are currently few safe topical treatments available for the condition.
Pfizer will pay $99.25 per Anacor share. That's a 55% premium to its Friday closing price of $64.03.
Anacor's stock soared more than 53% in Monday premarket trading.
Pfizer expects the transaction to add to its adjusted earnings per share starting in 2018 and increasing after that. The New York company does not expect the acquisition to impact its current 2016 financial outlook.
The boards of both companies have approved the deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter.
Pfizer has 2,100 employees in Michigan, mostly in Kalamazoo County at its Portage manufacturing complex, according to the company's website.