Incyte has entered into a $750m definitive agreement to acquire Escient Pharmaceuticals and its pipeline of small molecule therapeutics for systemic immune and neuro-immune disorders.
The deal gives Incyte access to an oral Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) antagonist which, according to the companies, “has the potential to treat multiple mast cell-mediated diseases”, including atopic dermatitis, chronic inducible urticaria and chronic spontaneous urticaria.
Preclinical study results showed that the candidate, EP262, improved atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions and markers of type 2 inflammation, while an early-stage study in healthy volunteers showed it was safe and well tolerated at all tested doses.
The transaction also includes an oral MRGPRX4 antagonist, EP547, offering potential treatments for cholestatic pruritus and other conditions with severe pruritus.
Incyte’s chief executive officer, Hervé Hoppenot, said: “This acquisition builds on our strategy to develop differentiated and first-in-class medicines with high potential.
“EP262 and EP547 are complementary additions to our portfolio, providing an opportunity to leverage our expertise, address the needs of patients with inflammatory diseases and additional potential launch opportunities starting in 2029.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Incyte will acquire Escient and its assets for $750m plus Escient’s net cash remaining at the closing of the transaction.
Also commenting on the acquisition, Joshua Grass, Escient’s president and chief executive officer, said: “These drug candidates are the result of the highly innovative research performed by Escient’s employees and scientific collaborators.
“With its experienced development and commercial teams in inflammation and autoimmunity and portfolio of commercial and development stage products, Incyte is well positioned to translate this new science into valuable medicines for patients.”
The announcement comes less than three months after Incyte entered into a $25m asset purchase agreement with MorphoSys to gain exclusive global rights for tafasitamab, a humanised Fc-modified CD19-targeting immunotherapy.
The drug holds approvals in combination with lenalidomide to treat relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and is currently being evaluated as a therapeutic option in ongoing pivotal trials for first-line DLBCL, relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma and relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma.