Incyte bets on mast cell inhibitors in $750M Escient buyout
23 Apr 2024
Phase 2Phase 1Immunotherapy
Incyte said Tuesday that it is bolstering its inflammation pipeline through a deal to acquire privately-held Escient Pharmaceuticals and its portfolio of oral mast cell antagonist programmes. The transaction will see Incyte pay $750 million plus Escient's remaining net cash balance at closing, expected in the third quarter.
Escient launched in 2018 with $40 million in series A funding to pursue the therapeutic potential of G protein-coupled receptor-targeted drugs, including the novel family of Mas-related G-protein receptors (MRGPRs). It has since gone on to raise $77.5 million and $120 million in successive series B and C rounds.
MRGPRs are chemosensory receptors found on both sensory nerve and immune cells located near each other in key barrier tissues such as the skin, airways and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Neuro-immune overactivation plays a central role in various disorders, including urticaria, atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic conditions involving neurogenic inflammation and pain, making MRGPRs promising targets for treatment, Escient says.
Launch opportunities starting in 2029
Through the deal, Incyte acquires EP262, an antagonist of MRGPRX2, that is currently in Phase II testing for chronic spontaneous urticaria and atopic dermatitis. It is also in a Phase Ib study for chronic inducible urticaria. "By blocking the activation of mast cells by various neuropeptides, EP262 holds great promise across a broad range of mast-cell-mediated diseases, as a once-a-day oral treatment devoid of the immuno-/myelosuppressive effects observed with other therapies," Escient says on its website.
The company's other lead programme EP547, which targets MRGPRX4, could help treat cholestatic pruritus and other conditions with severe pruritus. According to Escient, the drug may provide relief without the central nervous system and GI side effects often seen with other treatments.
"EP262 and EP547 are complementary additions to our portfolio, providing an opportunity to…address the needs of patients with inflammatory diseases and [add] potential launch opportunities starting in 2029," remarked Incyte CEO Hervé Hoppenot.
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