GSK has entered a definitive agreement to acquire RAPT Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for inflammatory and immunologic diseases.  

The acquisition includes ozureprubart, a long-acting anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal antibody, currently in Phase IIb clinical development for prophylactic protection against food allergens. 

Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will pay RAPT Therapeutics shareholders $58.00 per share at closing for an estimated aggregate equity value of $2.2 billion. 

IgE is a clinically validated target and is the only approved systemic therapy shown to protect patients from a harmful allergic and inflammatory immune response. Around 94% of severe food allergies are caused by IgE-mediated reactions. 

Current anti-IgE treatment for food allergy involves injections every two to four weeks, while ozureprubart’s clinical profile offers the potential for less frequent dosing of every 12 weeks, supporting improved compliance and patient outcomes; as well as providing a new option to approximately 25% of patients currently ineligible for existing therapy. 

Data from the Phase IIb trial (prestIgE) assessing use of ozureprubart as monotherapy is expected in 2027, with Phase III trials to be focused on both at-risk adult and paediatric populations.  

Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer, GSK said: “The addition of ozureprubart brings another promising new, potential best-in-class treatment to GSK’s pipeline. Food allergies cause severe health impacts to patients with existing treatment requiring injections as frequently as every two weeks. Ozureprubart offers the opportunity to bring sustained protection to patients with dosing every 12 weeks, and is consistent with our approach to acquire assets that address validated targets and where there is clear unmet medical need.”

Diana Turner, Deputy Editor, DDW