AbbVie acquires Celsius for $250m to boost inflammatory disease pipeline

AbbVie has recently announced its acquisition of Celsius Therapeutics for $250 million, aimed at enhancing its focus on inflammatory diseases. This strategic move allows AbbVie to gain access to Celsius Therapeutics' primary investigational drug, an anti-TREM1 antibody designed to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

TREM1 has been identified as a significant factor in inflammation and pathology in IBD and other related conditions. The leading candidate from Celsius, known as CEL383, has already completed an early-stage clinical trial. Preclinical studies have shown that CEL383 is effective in inhibiting TREM1 signaling, which in turn reduces multiple inflammatory mediators that are critically relevant in inflammatory conditions.

Kori Wallace, AbbVie’s vice president and global head of immunology clinical development, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for advancing CEL383 with the aim of enabling more patients with IBD to achieve remission. Aligning with this optimism, Celsius Therapeutics’ CEO Tariq Kassum highlighted the shared excitement regarding the potential of TREM1 inhibition for patients with inflammatory diseases. Kassum emphasized the hope that this promising program could introduce a novel approach to IBD treatment.

Inflammatory bowel disease, encompassing conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affects an estimated 3.1 million adults in the United States. Characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, IBD presents symptoms that include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fatigue. The exact cause of IBD remains unknown.

The acquisition of Celsius Therapeutics is part of a broader strategy by AbbVie to expand its portfolio in treating IBD. Earlier in the month, AbbVie disclosed a licensing agreement with FutureGen Biopharmaceutical worth $1.7 billion to develop FG-M701, a pre-clinical therapy for IBD. Jonathon Sedgwick, AbbVie's senior vice president and global head of discovery research, remarked on the rising prevalence of IBD and the need for new treatments, noting that many patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease do not respond to existing therapies. He expressed optimism about the collaboration with FutureGen in advancing FG-M701 for IBD treatment.

Furthermore, AbbVie has recently entered an exclusive global license collaboration and option agreement with Parvus Therapeutics to develop and commercialize innovative therapies for IBD. This deal was announced shortly before AbbVie revealed its plans to acquire Landos Biopharma for up to $212.5 million, marking another significant step in expanding its portfolio focused on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

These strategic acquisitions and collaborations underscore AbbVie's commitment to addressing the unmet needs of patients with IBD through the development of novel therapeutic options. The company’s focus on advancing research and clinical development in this area is aimed at providing more effective treatments and ultimately improving the quality of life for those affected by these chronic conditions.