Shire to buy ViroPharma

DUBLIN — Shire will pay $4.2 billion to buy a drug maker specializing in treatments for rare diseases.

Shire, headquartered in Ireland, said the $50-per-share acquisition of ViroPharma would strengthen its rare disease portfolio. Exton, Pa.-based ViroPharma's products include the hereditary angioedema drug Cinryze (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]) and Vancocin (vancomycin hydrochloride), used to treat Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

"The acquisition of ViroPharma will immediately benefit Shire and is entirely consistent with our clear strategic objective of strengthening our rare disease portfolio," Shire CEO Flemming Ornskov said. "It brings us a new growth-driving product which augments our already strong growth prospects."