NEW YORK (AP) -- German drugmaker Merz Pharma Group said Tuesday that it wants to buy dermatology products maker Obagi for about $383.5 million, toping an offer made by Canada's Valeant Pharmaceuticals last month.
Merz said it sent a letter to Obagi Medical Products Inc.'s board offering to buy all of the company's stock for $22 per share.
The news sent Obagi shares up 16 percent to $22.89 in afternoon trading, after peaking at $22.96 earlier in the session. That marked the stock's highest price in more than five years.
Late last month, Valeant struck a deal with Obagi to pay $19.75 per share, or a total of about $343.7 million, for the company. Merz said Tuesday that it had been in private talks with Obagi before that deal was announced and wasn't aware that it was considering signing a deal with another company so quickly.
Long Beach, Calif.-based Obagi makes skin anesthetics as well as prescription and over-the-counter treatments for wrinkles, acne, sun damage and other skin problems. It posted sales of $120 million last year.
Merz, , which makes drugs and other products to treat neurological and clinical dermatological conditions, said the addition of Obagi would be a natural fit for it, expand its U.S. market presence and boost its lineup of dermatology products.
The German company maintained that its offer constitutes a superior proposal and offers a significant premium over Valeant's. The company said it has enough cash on hand to fund the deal and doesn't need additional financing.
Obagi released a statement later on Tuesday saying that its board will evaluate Merz' offer, adding that the board "realizes that time is of the essence in this matter."
Valeant spokeswoman Laurie Little declined comment.
Valeant's U.S. shares fell 22 cents to $75.83 in afternoon trading.
