Rigel Pharmaceuticals (RIGL) secures global VEPPANU rights with $70.0M upfront

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. completed a major licensing transaction, making its License Agreement with Arvinas, Inc., Arvinas affiliates and Pfizer Inc. effective for VEPPANU™ (vepdegestrant). The deal grants Rigel exclusive, global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize VEPPANU and related products worldwide.

Following early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust waiting period and satisfaction of closing conditions, Rigel closed the transaction and paid the licensors a one-time upfront payment of $70.0 million.

Insights

Biopharma transactions analyst

Rigel closes a $70.0 million global licensing deal for VEPPANU.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals has finalized its License Agreement with Arvinas entities and Pfizer, securing exclusive, global rights to VEPPANU™ (vepdegestrant). This shifts development and commercialization control for VEPPANU and related products worldwide to Rigel under a long-term license structure.

The transaction became effective after early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended waiting period and satisfaction of other closing conditions. Rigel paid a one-time upfront payment of $70.0 million to the licensors, representing a significant cash outlay tied to expanding its product portfolio.

Future disclosures in company filings may clarify VEPPANU’s development plans, any additional milestone or royalty economics, and how this asset fits within Rigel’s broader strategic and financial framework beyond the initial $70.0 million payment.

8-K Event Classification

Item 2.01 — Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

1 item

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets Financial

The company completed a significant acquisition or sale of business assets.

Key Figures

Upfront payment for VEPPANU license: $70.0 million

1 metrics

Upfront payment for VEPPANU license $70.0 million One-time payment to licensors at License Agreement effectiveness

Key Terms

License Agreement, Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, exclusive, global rights, upfront payment

4 terms

License Agreement financial

"the Company entered into a License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Arvinas, Inc."

A license agreement is a contract where the owner of intellectual property, technology, a brand, or other rights gives another party permission to use those assets under specified conditions, usually for fees, royalties or other payments. For investors it matters because such deals create or limit predictable revenue streams, affect profit margins, transfer legal and commercial risk, and can determine how quickly a company can grow — like renting out a patented tool to earn steady income while keeping ownership.

Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended regulatory

"Following the early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended"

exclusive, global rights financial

"the Licensors granted the Company exclusive, global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize VEPPANU"

upfront payment financial

"the Company paid the Licensors a one-time upfront payment of $70.0 million"

An upfront payment is a sum of money paid at the start of a business deal—such as a license, acquisition, partnership, or loan—rather than over time. For investors it matters because it shows immediate commitment and changes a company’s cash on hand and risk profile: like a down payment on a purchase, it can signal confidence but also ties up funds that might otherwise be used for operations or growth.

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Understanding 8-K Material Events →

0001034842false00010348422026-06-112026-06-11

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 11, 2026

RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-29889			94-3248524
(Commission File No.)			(IRS Employer Identification No.)
611 Gateway Boulevard Suite 900
South San Francisco, CA			94080
(Address of principal executive offices)			(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 624-1100

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

RIGL

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 2.01.    Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

As previously disclosed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) on May 12, 2026, the Company entered into a License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Arvinas, Inc., Arvinas Operations, Inc., Arvinas Estrogen Receptor, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. (collectively, the “Licensors”), pursuant to which the Licensors granted the Company exclusive, global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize VEPPANU™ (vepdegestrant) and related products worldwide.

Following the early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the satisfaction of the other closing conditions under the License Agreement, the License Agreement became effective and the transactions contemplated thereby were completed. In connection therewith, the Company paid the Licensors a one-time upfront payment of $70.0 million.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: June 17, 2026			RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
			By:			/s/ Raymond J. Furey
						Raymond J. Furey
						Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary

FAQ

What transaction did Rigel Pharmaceuticals (RIGL) complete involving VEPPANU?

Rigel Pharmaceuticals completed a License Agreement giving it exclusive, global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize VEPPANU (vepdegestrant) and related products. The rights were obtained from Arvinas entities and Pfizer after all closing conditions, including antitrust review, were satisfied.

How much did Rigel Pharmaceuticals (RIGL) pay upfront for the VEPPANU license?

Rigel Pharmaceuticals paid a one-time upfront payment of $70.0 million to the licensors for the VEPPANU license. This payment was made when the License Agreement became effective following completion of closing conditions and early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust waiting period.

Who are the licensors in Rigel Pharmaceuticals’ (RIGL) VEPPANU license deal?

The licensors are Arvinas, Inc., Arvinas Operations, Inc., Arvinas Estrogen Receptor, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Together, they granted Rigel exclusive, global rights to VEPPANU and related products once the License Agreement became effective after regulatory and contractual conditions were satisfied.

What regulatory milestone enabled closing of Rigel (RIGL) VEPPANU license?

Closing was enabled by early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. Once that and other closing conditions were satisfied, the License Agreement became effective and Rigel completed the VEPPANU licensing transaction.

What rights did Rigel Pharmaceuticals (RIGL) obtain under the VEPPANU License Agreement?

Rigel obtained exclusive, global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize VEPPANU (vepdegestrant) and related products worldwide. These rights give Rigel primary control over VEPPANU’s future development and commercialization strategy under the License Agreement with the Arvinas entities and Pfizer.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 1.7 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 22.3 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 12.7 KB