Sector News

Gilead Sciences Acquires EpiTherapeutics

May 7, 2015
Life sciences
(BUSINESS WIRE) – Gilead Sciences, Inc. and EpiTherapeutics ApS, a privately-held Danish company, announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Gilead has acquired EpiTherapeutics for $65 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, to be financed through available cash on hand.
 
EpiTherapeutics has generated a library of first-in-class, selective small molecule inhibitors of epigenetic regulation of gene transcription, in particular histone demethylases. The company’s lead pre-clinical compounds are being studied for the treatment of certain cancers.
 
“Epigenetics is a promising area of research and the EpiTherapeutics team is a recognized scientific leader in this field,” said Norbert Bischofberger, PhD, Gilead’s Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer. “This therapeutic class represents a strategic fit with our existing research portfolio, including the potential for novel combination approaches. We look forward to working with colleagues from EpiTherapeutics to advance these programs toward clinical development in diseases with significant unmet medical need.”
 
“EpiTherapeutics has done groundbreaking work in a new therapeutic class of small molecule inhibitors with broad implications across various disease states,” said Martin Bonde, PhD, EpiTherapeutics’ Chief Executive Officer. “We are confident that with Gilead’s acquisition of the company, our discoveries will have the best chance to be developed into therapies that will benefit patients.”
 
Investors in EpiTherapeutics are NOVO Seeds, SEED Capital, Lundbeckfond Emerge, MS Ventures and Astellas Venture. Back Bay Life Science Advisors of Boston advised EpiTherapeutics on the transaction.
 
Source: Gilead Sciences

comments closed

Related News

June 3, 2023

Sanofi’s frexalimab shows early potential in in Phase II multiple sclerosis trial

Life sciences

In 2017, Sanofi partnered with the Lebanon, New Hampshire-based ImmuNext to develop an antibody for autoimmune diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis, which included giving Sanofi a worldwide license to develop frexalimab. The agreement involved milestone payments upto $500 million.

June 3, 2023

Lonza to acquire Synaffix to strengthen ADC development

Life sciences

Global manufacturer for the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutraceutical markets, Lonza has announced that it has acquired Synaffix, a biotech company focused on the commercialisation of its clinical stage technology platform for the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

June 3, 2023

BD taps Novartis, GSK alum Laura Boros to lead drug delivery device business

Life sciences

In its hunt for the new head of its pharmaceutical systems business—which makes syringes, self-injection systems and other drug delivery devices for 70% of the top 100 drugmakers in the world, according to the company—BD landed on a candidate with plenty of experience among that customer group.

How can we help you?

We're easy to reach