BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc and Idera Pharmaceuticals Inc. to merge.

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement to form a new enterprise focused on the development and commercialization of medicines to serve more patients suffering from rare diseases. The combined company will be renamed upon closing and will be led by Vincent Milano, CEO of Idera, who will also serve as a member of the Board. BioCryst Chairman, Robert Ingram, will be Chairman of the Board of the combined company and BioCryst CEO Jon P. Stonehouse will serve as a member of the Board of Directors. The merger creates a more extensive clinical pipeline for the two players, including three mid- to late-stage candidates aimed at tackling a variety of diseases. From BioCryst comes a treatment for hereditary angioedema (HAE), BCX 7353. On its end, Idera is contributing IMO 2125 and IMO 8400, drugs under investigation in PD1-refractory melanoma and dermatomyositis, respectively.