GSK completes acquisition of Aiolos Bio

LONDON: GSK plc, a global pharmaceutical company, announced today that it has agreed to acquire Aiolos Bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biotech firm developing a novel antibody therapy for asthma and other inflammatory diseases, for a total of $1.4 billion.

The deal will give GSK access to AIO-001, a long-acting anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) monoclonal antibody that is ready to enter phase II trials for the treatment of adult asthma patients. TSLP is a key driver of inflammation in allergic and inflammatory diseases, and AIO-001 has shown promising results in early studies in terms of safety, tolerability, and biological activity. AIO-001 also has the potential to be administered every six months, which could improve patient compliance and convenience.

GSK’s Chief Scientific Officer, Tony Wood, said that the acquisition of Aiolos Bio would expand the reach of GSK’s current respiratory biologics portfolio, which includes medicines targeting the IL-5 pathway for patients with high levels of eosinophils or high T2 inflammation. He added that AIO-001 could offer a new treatment option for the 40% of severe asthma patients with low T2 inflammation, where there is still an unmet need.

Aiolos Bio’s Chief Executive Officer, Khurem Farooq, said that he was confident that joining forces with GSK, a leader in respiratory therapies, would accelerate the development of AIO-001 and reduce the treatment burden for patients.

Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will pay $1 billion upfront and up to $400 million in regulatory milestones. GSK will also be responsible for paying royalties and other milestones to Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., the Chinese company that licensed AIO-001 to Aiolos Bio outside of Greater China.

The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act in the US.