GSK to acquire food allergy drug maker RAPT in $2.2bn deal

GSK has agreed to acquire California-based RAPT Therapeutics for $2.2bn, gaining rights to ozureprubart (Ozu), a mid-stage treatment that targets IgE for food allergies. Trial data is expected next year and late-stage studies are planned to start in the second half of 2027.

GSK has agreed to acquire RAPT Therapeutics for $2.2bn. The deal gives GSK global rights (with specified regional exceptions) to ozureprubart, a long-acting treatment in mid-stage trials that targets IgE. Ozu has been tested in people with peanut, milk, egg, cashew and walnut allergies. This is the first large acquisition announced under GSK chief executive Luke Miels. Key facts: - GSK is paying $2.2bn and $58 a share for RAPT Therapeutics. - RAPT's lead medicine is ozureprubart (Ozu), an IgE-binding treatment currently in mid-stage clinical trials. - Ozu has been tested in people with peanut, milk, egg, cashew and walnut allergies, and trial data is expected next year. - Late-stage clinical studies are scheduled to start in the second half of 2027, with the article noting a potential launch in 2031 if trials are successful. - The acquisition covers global rights to ozureprubart excluding mainland China, Macau, Taiwan and Hong Kong. - Nasdaq-listed RAPT shares rose about 63% in pre-market trading while GSK shares fell about 1.5% following the announcement. Summary: The acquisition brings a mid-stage food allergy drug into GSK's pipeline and is the company's first sizable deal under CEO Luke Miels. Trial data is expected next year and late-stage studies are planned for the second half of 2027, with a possible launch in 2031 if trials succeed. The article mentions the drug is viewed as a potential "blockbuster" with annual sales of at least $1bn.