Solrikitug

Johnson & Johnson agreed to acquire Proteologix for $850 million in cash, picking up a portfolio of experimental bispecific antibodies with a focus on treating atopic dermatitis. The lead asset PX128, which targets IL-13 and TSLP, is set to enter Phase I testing for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis as well as moderate-to-severe asthma.Proteologix's slate also includes the preclinical asset PX130 under development for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Like PX128, the compound also directed against IL-13, but is designed to block IL-22 as well in order to restore the skin barrier and prevent inflammation from environmental triggers, such as allergens. Both assets are designed for infrequent dosing intervals."We see an opportunity for best-in-disease efficacy for both PX128 and PX130 as each bispecific antibody targets two different combinations of disease driving pathways,” remarked David Lee, global immunology therapeutic area head at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. The transaction, which also includes an additional undisclosed milestone payment to Proteologix, is set to close mid-year.For Johnson & Johnson, the acquisition represents a strengthening of its focus in immunology. After a relatively quiet period on the M&A front for its pharma business, the Proteologix deal also hints at a ramping up of the healthcare giant's deal-making efforts. Earlier this year, it bought antibody-drug conjugate developer Ambrx Biopharma for $2 billion, although industry watchers have suggested that Johnson & Johnson's next major move could be in the medical device space rather than innovative medicines.The Proteologix purchase also sees Johnson & Johnson jockeying for position in the space for anti-TSLP antibodies. Just this week, Blackstone Life Sciences committed up to $300 million in newly launched biotech Uniquity Bio to support development of the anti-TSLP candidate solrikitug, while in January, GSK bought Aiolos Bio and its mid-stage anti-TSLP candidate AIO-001 for up to $1.4 billion. For more, see Spotlight On: A look at the anti-TSLP pipeline.

Uniquity is eyeing pipeline growth alongside advancing solrikitug in COPD and asthma. Credit: Shutterstock/ peterschreiber.media. Private investment firm Blackstone Life Sciences has pulled back the covers on the latest pharma company to hit the immunology and inflammation arena. Based in Pennsylvania, US, Uniquity Bio has launched with $300m in capital from Blackstone. Uniquity Bio’s most valuable asset is arguably a monoclonal antibody in-licensed from MSD, solrikitug. The drug targets thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and has recently been cleared for use in clinical trials by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Uniquity said it will launch Phase II trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The market size for COPD in the US was estimated to be about $18.6bn in 2023 while the size of the asthma market in the country was approximately $7.2bn in the same year, according to GlobalData’s Pharma Intelligence Centre. See Also: DM-5167 by Dime Bio for Solid Tumor: Likelihood of Approval BBI-825 by Boundless Bio for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Likelihood of Approval GlobalData is the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology. While the upcoming trials will focus on these two diseases, Uniquity suggested the antibody could have applications in a wide range of immunology and inflammation programmes. Uniquity CEO Brian Lortie said solrikitug “has the potential to be a life-changing medication for a significant number of patients who currently have very limited treatment options”, and that the company is “excited to move into the next phase of development.” Uniquity gave no further details on the timings of the upcoming Phase II trials. But Blackstone Life Sciences’ global head Nicholas Galakatos reckons that the advancement of solrikitug will accompany an expanding pipeline for startups. Galakatos said: “We are proud to partner with Uniquity’s team of veteran industry leaders as they advance solrikitug and expand their immunology and inflammation pipeline with additional programs in the near future.” Immunology and inflammation are two of the hot areas to be a part of in the current pharma landscape. In February, inflammatory disease specialist Aiolos Bio was acquired by GSK in a $1.4bn deal . Aiolos had launched not long before in October 2023 with $200m and a monoclonal antibody that also targeted TSLP. Also in the space is Mirador Therapeutics which launched in late March 2024. Ushered in by the former head of MSD-bought Prometheus, the company secured $400m in Series A financing .