GSK has announced that it will be expanding its immunology pipeline by acquiring a clinical-stage T cell-engager from Chimagen Biosciences in a deal worth $850m.
GSK said it plans to develop and commercialise CMG1A46 with a focus on B cell-driven autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis, adding that the drug could be expanded into related autoimmune diseases.
The candidate is currently in early-stage clinical trials in leukaemia and lymphoma, with GSK aiming to begin a phase 1 lupus trial in 2025.
The agreement will see GSK pay $300m upfront to acquire full global rights to CMG1A46, and Chimagen will be eligible to receive success-based development and commercial milestone payments totalling $550m.
Affecting approximately five million people worldwide, lupus occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissue, resulting in symptoms such as inflammation, pain, extreme fatigue and hair loss. There are four main types of the disease and SLE accounts for around 70% of all cases.
CMG1A46 is directed at CD20, an established target in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, as well as CD19, which has shown promise as a differentiated therapeutic approach given its presence on more B cell types.
In preclinical studies, CMG1A46 has already demonstrated “rapid” and “deep” B cell depletion both in the bloodstream and in tissues, GSK outlined, noting that this could lead to more durable responses in patients.
GSK’s chief scientific officer, Tony Wood, said: “Through our work in SLE and LN, we increasingly understand the underlying drivers of B cell-driven diseases.
“As a novel therapeutic option directed at deep B cell depletion, CMG1A46 offers exciting potential which we are pleased to take forward to address unmet need in lupus and related autoimmune conditions.”
Zhenhao Zhou, chief executive officer of Chimagen, added: “We are excited by the potential of CMG1A46 to improve the lives of patients suffering from autoimmune conditions and grateful to have GSK accelerate that vision.”
The acquisition is part of a series of deals GSK has made this year. In July, the company
entered
into a new licensing agreement worth over €1.4bn with CureVac, restructuring their current collaboration to develop mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases.
It also announced in June that it had
acquired
US-based Elsie Biotechnologies and its oligonucleotide discovery platform for $50m, and completed its $1.4bn
acquisition
of Aiolos Bio in February.