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AVADEL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

CIK: 1012477 Filed: February 12, 2026 8-K Acquisition High Impact

Key Highlights

  • AVADEL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC was acquired by Alkermes plc, ending its independent public trading status.
  • Former shareholders received $21.00 in cash per share, plus a Contingent Value Right (CVR) for a potential additional $1.50 per share.
  • LUMRYZ, Avadel's key narcolepsy drug, will now benefit from Alkermes' larger resources and commercial infrastructure for market expansion.
  • Alkermes aims to strengthen its central nervous system (CNS) portfolio significantly with the addition of LUMRYZ.

Event Analysis

AVADEL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC The Final Chapter – Acquired by Alkermes

For AVADEL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC, a significant chapter has closed. The company is no longer an independent, publicly traded entity, having been acquired by Alkermes plc. This summary explains what this means for investors and the company's future, cutting through the financial jargon to provide clear, essential information.


Event Description (what happened)

Alkermes plc officially acquired AVADEL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC, ending Avadel's run as an independent, publicly traded company. As of February 12, 2026, Avadel operates as a private, wholly-owned subsidiary of Alkermes.

Avadel shareholders received $21.00 in cash per share. In addition, they received a special Contingent Value Right (CVR) for each share, which offers the potential for an additional $1.50 per share. This CVR payment depends on LUMRYZ (Avadel's key narcolepsy drug) achieving net sales exceeding $250 million in any consecutive 12-month period ending on or before December 31, 2028. This CVR is generally non-tradable, meaning it cannot be bought or sold on an exchange, and there is no guarantee the milestone will be met, making the additional $1.50 payment uncertain.

This acquisition finalized a deal initially announced in October 2025 and amended in November 2025. To streamline operations for its new owner, Avadel took several steps. It terminated its "at-the-market" stock offering program and prepaid approximately $60.2 million to end future royalty payments to RTW Royalty II DAC. These actions effectively "cleaned up" Avadel's balance sheet, making it a more integrated asset for Alkermes. Avadel's top leadership (CEO, CFO, COO, General Counsel) and all board members stepped down. The High Court of Ireland also sanctioned the plan, making the acquisition legally binding.

Event Date/Timeline

The acquisition became effective on February 12, 2026. Nasdaq Global Market halted trading of Avadel shares (AVDL) the day before, on February 11, 2026, at 7:50 PM New York City time, and subsequently delisted the shares. The deal was initially announced in October 2025 and amended in November 2025. The CVR milestone period extends to December 31, 2028.

Impact Assessment (who/what is affected)

  • For Former Avadel Shareholders: Your Avadel stock investment converted. You no longer own shares in a publicly traded company. You will receive the cash payment and CVRs through your brokerage account. Remember, the CVR is a contractual right, not a stock, and its value depends entirely on the LUMRYZ sales milestone being met by December 31, 2028.
  • For Avadel's Business & Products (like LUMRYZ): Alkermes now manages Avadel's assets, particularly LUMRYZ. Alkermes intends to fully support LUMRYZ's commercialization and potentially explore further development, leveraging its larger resources for broader market penetration.
  • For Avadel Employees: Avadel's top leadership (CEO, CFO, COO, General Counsel) and all board members stepped down. Alkermes now integrates other employees, which could lead to new opportunities or changes in roles within the larger organization.
  • For Patients: Alkermes is now responsible for Avadel's existing and future treatments, including LUMRYZ. This could potentially lead to increased access or accelerated development of these therapies due to Alkermes' larger scale and resources.
  • For Alkermes: Alkermes primarily sought to strengthen its central nervous system (CNS) portfolio by adding LUMRYZ, Avadel's differentiated narcolepsy treatment. Alkermes aims to leverage its established commercial infrastructure and expertise to maximize LUMRYZ's market reach and potential, expecting it to be a significant revenue contributor.

Financial Impact

Avadel shareholders received a cash payment of $21.00 per share from the acquisition. Additionally, shareholders received a Contingent Value Right (CVR) for each share, offering the potential for an additional $1.50 per share if LUMRYZ net sales exceed $250 million in any consecutive 12-month period ending on or before December 31, 2028. The CVR is generally non-tradable, and its payment is not guaranteed. Avadel also prepaid approximately $60.2 million to terminate future royalty payments to RTW Royalty II DAC, directly impacting its balance sheet before the acquisition. The deal offered immediate and certain cash value at a premium for Avadel shareholders.

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Your shares are gone: If you held Avadel shares, they are no longer trading. You are entitled to the $21.00 cash per share and the CVRs.
  • Understand the CVR: The CVR is not a stock. It's a promise for a potential future cash payment of $1.50 per share, only if LUMRYZ net sales exceed $250 million in any consecutive 12-month period ending on or before December 31, 2028. It is generally non-tradable, and there is no guarantee of payment.
  • No more trading Avadel stock: Since the company is now private, no Avadel stock can be bought or sold on the open market.
  • End of an era: For Avadel as a publicly traded company, this acquisition marks its final chapter.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Avadel shares are gone; you are entitled to $21.00 cash per share and the associated CVRs.
  • The CVR is not a stock but a non-tradable promise for a potential $1.50 payment, contingent on LUMRYZ sales by Dec 31, 2028, and is not guaranteed.
  • Avadel stock can no longer be bought or sold on the open market as the company is now private.
  • This acquisition marks the definitive end of Avadel as an independent, publicly traded company.

Why This Matters

This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for AVADEL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC, transforming it from an independent, publicly traded entity into a private subsidiary of Alkermes plc. For former Avadel shareholders, this event signifies a complete shift from equity ownership to a fixed cash payout of $21.00 per share, complemented by a Contingent Value Right (CVR) offering potential additional value. This means their investment journey with Avadel as a standalone company has concluded, and their future returns are now tied to the CVR's specific milestone.

For Alkermes, the acquisition is a strategic move to significantly bolster its central nervous system (CNS) portfolio, particularly with the addition of LUMRYZ, Avadel's key narcolepsy drug. This integration allows Alkermes to leverage its established commercial infrastructure and resources to maximize LUMRYZ's market penetration and potential, aiming for it to become a substantial revenue contributor. The deal highlights a trend of consolidation in the pharmaceutical sector, where larger players acquire specialized assets to expand their therapeutic offerings and market reach.

What Usually Happens Next

Following the acquisition, former Avadel shareholders will receive their $21.00 cash payment per share and the associated Contingent Value Rights (CVRs) through their brokerage accounts. It is crucial for these shareholders to understand that the CVR is not a tradable security and its value is entirely dependent on LUMRYZ achieving a specific net sales milestone by December 31, 2028. They will need to monitor the performance of LUMRYZ under Alkermes' management to assess the likelihood of receiving the additional $1.50 per share.

For Avadel's operations, particularly LUMRYZ, Alkermes will now take full control of commercialization and development efforts. This typically involves integrating Avadel's sales and marketing teams, leveraging Alkermes' broader distribution channels, and potentially investing further in clinical development or new indications for LUMRYZ. The former top leadership of Avadel has stepped down, and the company will operate under Alkermes' strategic direction, focusing on maximizing the asset's value within the larger corporate structure. The market will watch for updates on LUMRYZ's sales performance and any strategic announcements from Alkermes regarding its new asset.

Financial Impact

Avadel shareholders received $21.00 cash per share and a CVR for a potential additional $1.50 per share if LUMRYZ net sales exceed $250 million by December 31, 2028. Avadel also prepaid $60.2 million to terminate future royalty payments, effectively cleaning its balance sheet prior to the acquisition.

Affected Stakeholders

Investors
Avadel's Business & Products (LUMRYZ)
Avadel Employees
Patients
Alkermes

Document Information

Event Date: February 12, 2026
Processed: February 13, 2026 at 09:17 AM

AI-Generated Analysis

This analysis is AI-generated from SEC filings. This is educational content, not financial advice. Always consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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