Biogen to Acquire Human Immunology Biosciences for $1.15 Billion

Biogen has agreed to acquire Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio) for $1.15 billion upfront and up to $650 million in potential milestone payments. HI-Bio is a privately-held clinical-stage biotech focused on targeted therapies for patients with severe immune-mediated diseases. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and is currently anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2024.

HI-Bio’s lead asset, felzartamab, is an investigational therapeutic human monoclonal antibody directed against CD38, a protein expressed on mature plasma cells. Felzartamab has been shown in clinical studies to selectively deplete CD38+ plasma cells, which may allow applications that ultimately improve clinical outcomes in a broad range of diseases driven by pathogenic antibodies.

“We believe this late-stage asset, which has demonstrated impact on key biomarkers and clinical endpoints in three renal diseases with serious unmet needs, is a strategic addition to the Biogen portfolio as we continue to augment our pipeline and build on our expertise in immunology,” said Priya Singhal, Head of Development at Biogen. “We look forward to welcoming HI-Bio employees into Biogen and, together, working to advance potential therapies for patients with rare immune diseases with high unmet need.”

Biogen plans to leverage its existing global development and commercialization capabilities in rare disease and its strong scientific expertise in immunology to support the advancement of felzartamab and the HI-Bio pipeline. Biogen seeks to retain expertise and talent from HI-Bio and establish a San Francisco Bay Area team focused on immune-mediated diseases.

In addition to lead program felzartamab, the HI-Bio pipeline includes an anti-C5aR1 antibody currently in a Phase 1 trial and with potential for continued development in a range of complement-mediated diseases. HI-Bio also has discovery stage mast cell programs with potential in a range of immune-mediated diseases. (Source: Biogen Website, 22 May, 2024)