It turns out the rumors were true.
Novartis (NYSE: NVS) is buying The Medicines Company (NASDAQ: MDCO) for $85 per share. That's a 45% premium above the closing price prior to the acquisition rumor being published.
Investors kicking themselves for not seeing the higher potential valuation shouldn't be all that upset. The Medicines Company's lead asset, inclisiran, a cholesterol-lowering drug that's passed multiple late-stage studies, is worth more to Novartis -- or, really, any large pharma -- than it would have been in the hands of The Medicines Company.