Johnson & Johnson acquires from Numab Therapeutics NM 26 a bispecific antibody to treat atopic dermatitis.
Johnson & Johnson announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with Numab Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of immunology and oncology therapeutics, to acquire from Numab’s shareholders its wholly-owned subsidiary for the global rights to a novel, investigational first-in-class bispecific antibody, NM 26, in an all-cash transaction of approximately $1.25 billion. NM 26, which is ready to enter Phase II studies, targets two clinically proven pathways, IL-4R alpha subunit (IL-4Ralpha) and IL-31, in atopic dermatitis (AD).
Atopic dermatitis, the most common inflammatory skin disease, is highly heterogeneous with different disease-driving mechanisms in distinct patient subpopulations. NM 26 targets IL-4Ralpha, which triggers Th2-mediated skin inflammation4, and IL-31, which impacts skin itch and subsequent scratching that worsen the disease. In addition to potentially transforming the standard of care for AD, NM 26 could also be efficacious in other inflammatory skin diseases involving Th2 inflammation and itch.
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