LONDON - GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) has announced the acquisition of Aiolos Bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, for an upfront payment of $1B and potential future regulatory milestone payments of up to $400M. This strategic move aims to enhance GSK's respiratory treatment options with the addition of AIO-001, a phase II-ready, long-acting antibody targeting the TSLP pathway, which is implicated in various respiratory and inflammatory conditions.
AIO-001, which has shown promise in early studies for safety, tolerability, and biological activity, could potentially offer a new treatment option for asthma patients, including those who do not respond to current biologic therapies. Tony Wood, GSK's Chief Scientific Officer, highlighted the potential for AIO-001 to reach the 40% of severe asthma patients with low T2 inflammation, a group currently underserved by available treatments.
The acquisition is part of GSK's broader strategy to expand its respiratory biologics portfolio, which aims to address the needs of the 315 million people worldwide living with asthma. The company has a history of over 50 years in respiratory medicine innovation and seeks to continue this legacy by advancing patient outcomes in both existing and emerging respiratory disease areas.
Khurem Farooq, CEO of Aiolos Bio, expressed confidence that the partnership with GSK would accelerate the development of AIO-001, potentially reducing the treatment burden for patients. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act in the US.
This report is based on a press release statement.
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