Today, GSK and Aiolos Bio announced that they have entered into an agreement, under which,GSKGSK to Acquire AIOLOS BIO, INC., a Clinical-Stage Biopharmaceutical Company Focused on Addressing Unmet Therapeutic Needs in Certain Respiratory and Inflammatory Diseases, for $1 Billion Upfront and up to $400 Million in Success-Based Regulatory Milestone Payments. Additionally, GSK will be Responsible for Making Success-Based Milestone Payments and Tiered Royalties to Hengrui.New Star! $245 Million Series A Financing, Core Pipeline Originates from Hengrui Medicine)
This acquisition isGSKAcquired Aiolos' AIO-001, a potential best-in-class long-acting anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) monoclonal antibody, which is ready to enter Phase II clinical development for the treatment of adult asthma patients and may have other indications, including chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. AIO-001 is developed by Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd.Rights Outside Greater ChinaExclusive authorization granted to Aiolos Bio.（Over $1 Billion! Hengrui Medicine's TSLP Antibody Goes Global: What Other Chinese-Made Drugs Are in Development?）（New Force! Raised $400 Million in 1 Year, Developing TSLP Antibody）
GSKChief Scientific OfficerTony Wood said:"We have a proud tradition and deep development expertise in respiratory medicines, particularly in addressing diseases driven by high levels of eosinophils or high T2 inflammation caused by IL-5. The acquisition of AIO-001, a potential best-in-class drug targeting the TSLP pathway, can expand our current portfolio of respiratory biologics to include the 40% of low T2 severe asthma patients who still need treatment options for their inflammation."
Targeting the TSLP pathway addresses a key driver of inflammatory responses in major allergic and inflammatory diseases. TSLP is a clinically validated target for treating asthma, regardless of biomarker status. Early studies of AIO-001 have demonstrated preliminary safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and bioactivity in both healthy volunteers and asthma patients. Additionally, due to its enhanced potency and extended half-life technology, AIO-001 has the potential for dosing once every six months, which could redefine the standard of care.GSK has an industry-leading portfolio of marketed and investigational medicines for the treatment of a range of respiratory diseases, including biologics aimed at treating subsets of patients with asthma characterized by high eosinophil or high T2 inflammation. With AIO-001, GSK’s respiratory portfolio could offer biologic options to a broader segment of the 315 million people with asthma, regardless of biomarker status, including those with lower T2 inflammation.Aiolos Bio CEO Khurem Farooq stated:"We believe this transaction underscores the high potential of our long-acting anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody AIO-001. GSK is a leader with decades of experience in developing respiratory therapies and a shared commitment to improving patients' lives. Through our collaboration with GSK, we are confident in rapidly advancing this therapy with the aim of significantly reducing the treatment burden for patients."Follow the official account below to explore the world with you!
