Otsuka acquires Visterra and its Hierotope Platform targeting IgA nephropathy and other kidney diseases, cancer, chronic pain and infectious diseases.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Visterra, Inc. announce that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Otsuka will acquire Visterra for approximately $430 million in an all-cash transaction. The Otsuka and Visterra boards of directors have approved the transaction. Subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the waiting period under U.S. antitrust laws, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018. Visterra�s Hierotope platform, comprised of novel computational and experimental technologies, enables the design and engineering of precision antibody-based therapies that specifically bind to, and modulate, disease targets that are not adequately addressed by current technologies in antibody therapeutics. Visterra�s pipeline includes programs targeting IgA nephropathy and other kidney diseases, cancer, chronic pain and infectious diseases.