Amicus Therapeutics Shares Surge 29.7% on $4.8B BioMarin Acquisition Deal

Introduction

Amicus Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: FOLD) is a public biotechnology company headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, with additional research sites in Philadelphia and San Diego. Founded in 2002, Amicus focuses on the discovery, development, and delivery of therapies for rare and orphan diseases, particularly lysosomal storage disorders such as Fabry and Pompe diseases.

Corporate Structure and Workforce

Amicus employs between 501 and 1,000 people worldwide, organized across research, development, manufacturing, and commercial functions. The company’s leadership team combines scientific expertise with business management to advance its pipeline, which includes small-molecule chaperones, enzyme replacement therapies, and gene therapy programs. As of November 28, 2025, significant institutional investors include The Vanguard Group, holding 10.0% of shares outstanding, William Blair Investment Management with 5.2%, and Avoro Capital Advisors managing 4.87%.

Biotechnology by Louis Reed

Developments and News

In December 2025, Amicus announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by BioMarin Pharmaceutical for $14.50 per share, which represents a total equity value of approximately $4.8 billion. This transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and shareholder consent and aims to enhance the distribution of Amicus’s therapies through BioMarin’s established global infrastructure.

Recent SEC filings from November and early December 2025 reflect ongoing adjustments in institutional holdings. Vanguard’s SCHEDULE 13G/A amendment dated December 3, 2025, indicates shared voting power over 2.12 million shares and sole dispositive power over 28.38 million shares. Avoro’s November 14, 2025, amendment confirms its investment-only intent, while William Blair’s November 12, 2025, filing details management of 15.97 million shares.

Financial and Strategic Analysis

On December 19, 2025, FOLD closed at $14.12, representing a 29.66% increase on a trading volume of 26.5 million shares on the NASDAQ. This rise aligns with the announcement of the BioMarin acquisition. Amicus’s strategy includes collaborations and acquisitions, such as the 2018 acquisition of Celenex, which has diversified its pipeline and positioned the company within the orphan drug market. The high degree of institutional ownership reflects confidence in the company’s research capabilities and the anticipated impact of its products.

Market Position and Industry Context

Amicus operates within the rare disease sector, which is characterized by regulatory incentives and significant unmet medical needs that drive valuations and mergers and acquisitions activity. The company’s approved therapy, migalastat (Galafold), treats Fabry disease using a pharmacological chaperone approach, while its enzyme replacement and gene therapy candidates target Pompe disease and other genetic disorders. The BioMarin acquisition fits a trend of consolidations in the sector, aimed at leveraging Amicus’s specialized pipeline to enhance patient access through BioMarin’s commercial capabilities.

tl;dr

Amicus Therapeutics confirmed in December 2025 its acquisition agreement by BioMarin Pharmaceutical at $14.50 per share, valuing the company at approximately $4.8 billion. Following news of the deal, FOLD rose 29.66% to $14.12 on December 19, 2025. Major institutional investors include Vanguard (10.0%), William Blair (5.2%), and Avoro (4.87%), indicating confidence in Amicus’s rare disease drug pipeline. The transaction is pending regulatory approvals and shareholder consent, expected to facilitate broader access to therapies under BioMarin’s global network.