Alexion to acquire Syntimmune and with it SYNT 001 an inhibitor of the interaction of FcRn with immunoglobulin G.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Syntimmune announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Alexion to acquire Syntimmune, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing antibody therapeutics targeting the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). SYNT 001 � a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits the interaction of FcRn with Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgG immune complexes � has the potential to improve treatment in a number of rare IgG-mediated diseases. SYNT 001 is currently being evaluated in Phase 1b/IIa studies in patients with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA) and in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) or pemphigus foliaceus (PF) and has demonstrated proof of mechanism showing rapid IgG reduction. Under the terms of the agreement, Alexion will acquire Syntimmune for an upfront payment of $400 million, with the potential for additional milestone-dependent payments of up to $800 million, for a total value of up to $1.2 billion.