Swiss oncology biotech firm Araris Biotech AG has entered into an acquisition agreement with Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, marking a significant milestone for the advanced therapies industry, 4BIO Capital announced Monday.
The Japanese company will pay $400 million upfront, with additional milestone payments potentially bringing the total to $1.14 billion. The acquisition is set to close in the first half of 2025.
Araris, a portfolio company of 4BIO Capital, specializes in next-generation antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). Its proprietary AraLinQ™ technology allows the attachment of multiple cancer-fighting payloads to a single antibody, ensuring stability, safety, and enhanced anti-tumor effects.
Taiho’s move follows a successful research collaboration with Araris initiated in November 2023. Taiho aims to leverage its clinical development expertise to bring Araris’ ADC therapies, which are currently in preclinical stages, into clinical trials starting in 2025.
“This acquisition confirms Araris’ position as one of the most exciting ADC companies in the market,” said Dr. Dmitry Kuzmin, Managing Partner at 4BIO Capital and Chairman of Araris. “It validates our science-driven, high conviction seed investment strategy.”
Araris CEO Dr. Dragan Grabulovski praised 4BIO Capital’s contributions, stating the firm had provided strategic guidance and vital connections that helped propel the company forward. “We are thrilled to join forces with Taiho Pharmaceutical, whose deep oncology expertise will accelerate the development of our ADC candidates,” Grabulovski said.
This acquisition highlights 4BIO’s investment success in advanced therapies. The venture capital firm identified Araris’ potential early on, investing in 2020 and supporting its development through multiple pharma collaborations.
For 4BIO, the deal also underscores growing synergies between Japanese and European biotech sectors, a development hailed by Philippe Fauchet OBE, 4BIO Venture Partner. “This partnership exemplifies the benefits of building bridges between these ecosystems,” he said.
The transaction positions Araris as a leading innovator in the ADC market, while advancing Taiho Pharmaceutical’s oncology portfolio.