argenx Acquires Forte Biosciences for $2.2 Billion in Immunology Deal
argenx (NASDAQ:ARGX) agreed to acquire Forte Biosciences (NASDAQ:FBRX) for approximately $2.2 billion in an all-cash deal at $77 per share, an 86% premium. The acquisition centers on FB102, a first-in-class anti-CD122 antibody showing positive Phase 1b results in vitiligo and celiac disease. Forte shares surged ~40% on the news. The transaction, approved by both boards, is expected to close in Q3 2026, funded from argenx's cash reserves.
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argenx signs agreement to buy Forte Biosciences for $2.2bn
argenx has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Forte Biosciences for approximately $2.2 billion in total equity value. The transaction, approved by both companies' boards, is expected to close in Q3 2026. The main asset is FB102, a first-in-class anti-CD122 antibody evaluated in Phase Ib studies for vitiligo and celiac disease. argenx will launch a cash tender offer at $77 per share, an 86% premium to Forte's recent trading price. The acquisition will be funded from argenx's cash reserves. Forte Biosciences expects Phase II data for FB102 in H2 2026. argenx CEO Karen Massey stated the deal advances the company's ambition to be a leading immunology innovator. Goldman Sachs and Freshfields advised argenx; Guggenheim Securities and Wilson Sonsini advised Forte.
Read sourceargenx signs agreement to buy Forte Biosciences for $2.2bn
argenx has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Forte Biosciences for approximately $2.2 billion in total equity value. The transaction, approved by both companies' boards, is expected to close in Q3 2026. The main asset is FB102, a first-in-class anti-CD122 antibody for vitiligo and celiac disease, which will be added to argenx's immunology portfolio. argenx will launch a cash tender offer at $77 per share, an 86% premium to Forte's recent trading price. The offer is fully funded from argenx's cash reserves. Forte expects Phase II data for FB102 in H2 2026. Goldman Sachs and Freshfields advised argenx; Guggenheim Securities and Wilson Sonsini advised Forte.
Read sourceArgenx signs agreement to buy Forte Biosciences for $2.2bn
Argenx has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Forte Biosciences for approximately $2.2 billion in total equity value. The transaction, approved by both companies' boards, is expected to close in Q3 2026. The main asset is FB102, Forte's first-in-class anti-CD122 antibody, which will be added to argenx's immunology portfolio. FB102 was evaluated in Phase Ib studies for vitiligo and celiac disease, and Phase II data is expected in H2 2026. Argenx will launch a cash tender offer at $77 per share, an 86% premium over Forte's recent trading price, funded entirely from cash on hand. The acquisition aligns with argenx's strategy to become a leading immunology innovator. Goldman Sachs and Freshfields advised argenx, while Guggenheim Securities and Wilson Sonsini advised Forte.
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argenx signs agreement to buy Forte Biosciences for $2.2bn
argenx has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Forte Biosciences for approximately $2.2bn in total equity value. The transaction, approved by both companies' boards, is expected to close in Q3 2026. The main asset is FB102, a first-in-class anti-CD122 antibody evaluated in Phase Ib studies for vitiligo and celiac disease. argenx will launch a cash tender offer at $77 per share, an 86% premium to Forte's recent trading price, funded entirely from cash on hand. The acquisition adds FB102 to argenx's immunology portfolio alongside programs like efgartigimod and empasiprubart. Goldman Sachs and Freshfields advised argenx, while Guggenheim Securities and Wilson Sonsini advised Forte Biosciences.
Read sourceForte BioSciences Stock Surges on $2.2 Billion Acquisition by Argenx
Forte BioSciences (FBRX) stock skyrocketed on July 27, 2026, after Dutch immunology giant Argenx (ARGX) announced a definitive agreement to acquire the company for $2.2 billion in an all-cash transaction. The deal values FBRX shares at $77 each, a 40% premium over the previous close, and is expected to close in Q3 2026. Argenx is paying a premium primarily to secure Forte's lead asset, FB102, a first-in-class anti-CD122 monoclonal antibody targeting pathogenic T-cell and NK-cell activity. FB102 has shown encouraging Phase 1b proof-of-concept in vitiligo and celiac disease, with Phase 2 readouts expected in H2 2026. The acquisition positions Argenx to diversify its immunology pipeline beyond its main drug Vyvgart. With shares trading near the buyout price, further upside is limited. Wall Street had a consensus 'Strong Buy' rating on FBRX with a mean price target of $68 before the announcement.
Read sourceForte Biosciences shares surge after argenx agrees to acquire company for $2.2B
Forte Biosciences (NASDAQ:FBRX) shares surged approximately 40% to around $76 on Monday after argenx (NASDAQ:ARGX) announced a $2.2 billion acquisition deal. Under the terms, argenx will acquire all outstanding Forte shares for $77 per share in cash, representing an 86% premium to Forte's volume-weighted average price since positive Phase 1b data for its lead program FB102 in vitiligo was reported on July 9, 2026. FB102 is a first-in-class anti-CD122 antibody targeting pathogenic T-cell and natural killer cell activity for autoimmune diseases including vitiligo, celiac disease, and alopecia areata. argenx CEO Karen Massey stated the acquisition builds on a previous strategic investment and aligns with the company's ambition to be a leading immunology innovator. Forte CEO Paul Wagner noted argenx's development and commercial infrastructure will accelerate FB102's development. Phase 2 data for celiac disease is expected in the second half of 2026. argenx shares fell 2% to about $900 following the announcement.
Read sourceargenx Strikes $2.2B Deal for Forte, Adds Autoimmune Drug FB102
argenx (NASDAQ:ARGX) announced a $2.2 billion all-cash acquisition of Forte Biosciences, offering $77 per share. The deal adds FB102, an anti-CD122 antibody targeting autoimmune diseases including vitiligo, celiac disease, and alopecia areata. FB102 is designed to inhibit pathogenic T cells and natural killer cells while preserving regulatory T-cell activity. Early Phase 1b results showed improvements in vitiligo and positive findings in celiac disease; a Phase 2 celiac trial is ongoing with results expected by year-end. argenx CEO Karen Massey said the acquisition aligns with the company's Vision 2030 strategy to become a broader immunology innovator. The transaction is funded entirely with cash on hand and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions.
Read sourceargenx Acquires Forte Biosciences for $2.2 Billion, Gains Autoimmune Drug FB102
argenx (NASDAQ:ARGX) has agreed to acquire Forte Biosciences in a deal valued at approximately $2.2 billion in equity value. The acquisition adds FB102, an anti-CD122 antibody designed to target pathogenic T cells and natural killer cells while preserving regulatory T-cell activity, for autoimmune diseases including vitiligo, celiac disease, and alopecia areata. argenx will launch a cash tender offer for all outstanding Forte shares at $77 per share, funded entirely with cash on hand. The transaction has been approved by both companies' boards and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. Early Phase 1b results showed improvements in vitiligo and positive findings in celiac disease, with a Phase 2 celiac trial ongoing and results expected by year-end. argenx CEO Karen Massey described the deal as part of the company's Vision 2030 strategy to become a broader immunology innovator.
Read sourceArgenx to acquire Forte Biosciences in $2.2B deal for immune drug FB102
Argenx, a Netherlands-based biopharmaceutical company, announced it will acquire Forte Biosciences in a deal valued at up to $2.2 billion. Argenx will pay $77 per share in cash, a 41% premium to Forte's closing price. The acquisition centers on FB102, an experimental anti-CD122 antibody with potential to treat multiple autoimmune conditions including celiac disease, vitiligo, and alopecia areata. Forte has reported positive early-stage data, with Phase 2 results expected later in 2026. Argenx, which has a market cap over $56 billion and generated over $4 billion in 2025 from its drug Vyvgart, aims to become a leading immunology innovator through this deal. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
Read sourceForte Biosciences Shares Surge on $2.2 Billion Takeover by argenx
Forte Biosciences (NASDAQ:FBRX) shares jumped 39.2% in pre-market trading after argenx (NASDAQ:ARGX) announced a definitive agreement to acquire the clinical-stage biotechnology company in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.2 billion. Under the terms, argenx will pay $77 per share in cash, representing a roughly 40% premium to Forte's previous closing price and an 86% premium to its volume-weighted average price since positive Phase 1b vitiligo trial results were released on July 9, 2026. The acquisition is centered on FB102, Forte's lead drug candidate and a first-in-class anti-CD122 antibody that has shown statistically significant Phase 1b results in both vitiligo and celiac disease. Argenx stated the deal will strengthen its immunology pipeline. The transaction has received unanimous approval from both companies' boards and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, financed entirely from argenx's existing cash. Barclays recently initiated coverage on Forte with an Overweight rating and a $74 price target.
Forte Biosciences shares jump after $2.2 billion takeover agreement with argenx
Forte Biosciences (NASDAQ:FBRX) shares surged 39.2% in pre-market trading after argenx (NASDAQ:ARGX) announced a definitive all-cash acquisition agreement valued at approximately $2.2 billion. Under the terms, argenx will pay $77 per share, a roughly 40% premium to Forte's previous closing price and an 86% premium to its volume-weighted average price since positive Phase 1b vitiligo trial results were released on July 9, 2026. The acquisition centers on FB102, Forte's lead anti-CD122 antibody candidate, which has shown statistically significant Phase 1b results in vitiligo and celiac disease. argenx stated the deal will strengthen its immunology pipeline and has received unanimous board approval from both companies. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2026 and will be fully financed from argenx's existing cash. Barclays recently initiated coverage on Forte with an Overweight rating and $74 price target. The broader market also provided a supportive backdrop, with major indices rising.
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