Johnson & Johnson has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire biotech company Proteologix for $850 million in cash, with potential for an additional milestone payment.

Proteologix’s portfolio includes PX128, a bispecific antibody targeting IL-13 plus TSLP, which is ready to enter phase 1 development for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and moderate to severe asthma; and PX130, a bispecific antibody targeting IL-13 plus IL-22, which is in preclinical development for moderate to severe AD. 

PX128 inhibits IL-13-mediated Th2 skin inflammation, a disease-driving pathway in­ AD and asthma, as well as TSLP, a mediator of tissue inflammation in AD and asthma. Like PX128, PX130 inhibits IL-13-mediated Th2 skin inflammation. PX130 also inhibits IL-22 to restore the skin barrier and prevent inflammation from environmental triggers, such as allergens. Both assets are designed for infrequent dosing intervals, potentially offering convenience for patients, according to Johnson & Johnson. 

“Atopic dermatitis is the most common inflammatory skin disease, impacting more than 100 million adults worldwide,” David Lee, Global Immunology Therapeutic Area Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, said in a company news release. “About 70% of patients using existing standard of care therapies do not reach remission.¹ Current advanced therapies for AD either target a single pathway and have limited efficacy or are more broadly immunosuppressive, resulting in significant safety concerns. We see an opportunity for best-in-disease efficacy for both PX128 and PX130 as each bispecific antibody targets two different combinations of disease driving pathways that are mediating the skin inflammation in heterogenous subpopulations of AD patients.”

In addition to PX128 and PX130, the acquisition will provide J&J with other bispecific antibody programs with applications across a variety of other diseases.

The transaction is expected to close mid-year 2024, subject to antitrust clearance and other customary closing conditions. 

References

¹https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27690741/