In a deal announced this week, Alfasigma spent an undisclosed sum to continue its global expansion in immunology.
The Italian drugmaker has laid plans to acquire Nordic Pharma, a niche pharmaceutical company specializing in rheumatology, women’s health and ophthalmology, from Sever Life Sciences.
Under the deal—which is subject to closing conditions—Alfasigma will add key drugs like Nordimet, a methotrexate injection, to its rheumatology portfolio, which already includes Jyseleca, as well as Nordic Pharma’s women’s health, critical care and ophthalmology portfolios.
Through Nordic Pharma, Alfasigma is set to tap into two new commercial markets, Japan and Canada, and will expand its operations across Europe, too. Nordic Pharma’s 2023 merger with Amring also gave the company a secure footprint in the US. Nordic's range of products includes a cystic fibrosis-specific nutritional supplement, treatments for medical termination of pregnancy and an FDA-cleared medical device for lacrimal occlusion.
The transaction falls in line with Alfasimga’s playbook over the last several years. The company has repeatedly pursued an external growth trajectory, scooping up smaller pharmas—particularly in the rare disease, immunology and gastroenterology space—to expand its international presence.
Alfasigma bought out Intercept Pharmaceuticals, makers of a rare liver disease treatment, in 2023, just weeks before acquiring its current rheumatology leader, Jyseleca, from Belgium-based Galapagos. Then, Alfasigma this spring made a $300 million upfront bet on a licensing agreement with GSK for a chronic itch drug that immediately went on to win FDA approval.
Jyseleca is an immunomodulatory drug, specifically a JAK-inhibitor, approved in Europe, the U.K. and Japan to treat inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Alfasigma reported double digit growth from the brand in 2025 and is currently pursuing approval from the European Medicines Agency for a new indication—axial spondyloarthritis, a chronic inflammatory arthritis of the spine.
The drugmaker is seeking “the right opportunities to build our global specialty and rare disease business,” CEO Francesco Balestrieri said in a statement.
While the transaction is still subject to regulatory approval, it’s expected to close by the end of 2026.