April 29 (Reuters) - Deciphera Pharmaceuticals ( DCPH )

said on Monday Japan's Ono Pharmaceutical Co ( OPHLF ) will

acquire the cancer drugmaker for $2.4 billion to expand its

oncology portfolio and presence in the United States and Europe.

Ono Pharma has offered $25.60 per share in cash, a premium

of 74.7% to U.S.-based Deciphera's last closing price of $14.65.

Shares of Deciphera soared 71% in premarket trading

following the news.

Some shareholders who own about 28% of Deciphera's

outstanding stock have already agreed to tender their shares and

support the deal, which is expected to close in the third

quarter of 2024, the company said.

"We expect that this acquisition of Deciphera will not only

expand ONO's target oncology portfolio, but also accelerate

ONO's business development in the United States and Europe, and

strengthen kinase drug discovery research," Ono Chief Executive

Officer Gyo Sagara said.

Deciphera's oral drug Qinlock to treat a type of

gastrointestinal cancer received the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration's full approval in 2020.

The company also plans to seek a nod for vimseltinib, its

experimental medicine to treat tenosynovial giant cell tumor, a

type of tumor found in some joints.

(Reporting by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini

Ganguli)