J&J to acquire Numab’s Yellow Jersey Therapeutics in deal worth $1.25bn
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with Numab Therapeutics to acquire its subsidiary, Yellow Jersey Therapeutics (YJT), expanding its immunology portfolio in a deal worth $1.25bn.
As part of the deal, which is set to close in the second half of 2024, J&J’s all-cash transaction to acquire YJT will provide the company with global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise the subsidiary’s investigational, first-in-class bispecific antibody to treat atopic dermatitis (AD), NM26.
Currently the most common inflammatory skin disease worldwide, affecting more than 100 million people globally, AD is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. Approximately 70% of patients with the heterogeneous disease being treated with current therapies do not achieve remission.
Currently ready to enter phase 2 studies, NM26 targets two clinically proven pathways: the IL-4R alpha subunit, which triggers Th2-mediated skin inflammation in AD and IL-31, which impacts skin itch and subsequent scratching that worsens the disease. In addition, the investigational bispecific antibody also holds the potential to be efficacious in other inflammatory skin diseases involving Th2 inflammation and itch.
Candice Long, worldwide vice president, immunology, J&J, said that the acquisition “is the next chapter” in J&J’s immunology portfolio and aims to “deliver transformational efficacy for all patients living with immune-mediated diseases like AD”.
David Urech, founder and chief executive officer, Numab, commented: “We are thrilled to enter into this agreement with J&J and are confident they will be able to rapidly advance the development of NM26 for patients in need of a better treatment for AD and other conditions.”
The acquisition comes after J&J announced it would be acquiring Proteologix in a deal worth $850m, gaining access to its AD treatments, PX128 and PX130. Earlier this year, in February, J&J and Protagonist Therapeutics shared positive phase 2b results of their investigational targeted oral peptide, JNJ-2113, for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
June 3, 2024
