Vertex to Acquire Alpine Immune Sciences for $4.9 Billion

Vertex has announced it plans to acquire Seattle biotech Alpine Immune Sciences for $65 per share or approximately $4.9 billion in cash. Alpine is focused on discovering and developing innovative, protein-based immunotherapies. The transaction was unanimously approved by both the Vertex and Alpine Boards of Directors and is anticipated to close later this quarter.

Alpine’s lead molecule, povetacicept has shown potential best-in-class efficacy in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a serious, progressive, autoimmune disease of the kidney that can lead to end-stage-renal disease. There are no approved therapies that target the underlying cause of IgAN, which is the most common cause of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide, affecting approximately 130,000 people in the U.S.

Povetacicept is a dual antagonist of the BAFF (B cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation inducing ligand) cytokines, which play key roles in pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases via their roles in the activation, differentiation and/or survival of B cells, T cells and innate immune cells. Povetacicept has higher binding affinity and greater potency in preclinical studies versus other inhibitors of BAFF and/or APRIL alone and has demonstrated potential best-in-class efficacy in a clinical trial in patients with IgA nephropathy. Povetacicept is also in development for multiple serious diseases including other autoimmune kidney diseases and autoimmune cytopenias. Povetacicept is on track to enter Phase 3 clinical development in the second half of 2024. (Source: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Website, 10 April, 2024)