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First Wave To Merge With ImmunogenX With Focus On Celiac Disease

 
• By Joseph Haas

Troubled by recent clinical disappointments, First Wave will combine with ImmunogenX to focus on that company’s Phase III-ready enzyme replacement therapy for celiac disease. A deep-pocketed partner waits in the wings.

Gluten-free
First Wave merges with ImmunogenX with a goal of producing the first celiac disease drug • Source: Shutterstock

Recently troubled First Wave BioPharma, Inc. is adding pipeline and clinical development capability in an all-stock merger with privately held ImmunogenX, a deal announced on 18 December that will bring in Phase III-ready latiglutenase, an enzyme-replacement therapy that the two companies hope can become the first approved drug for celiac disease.

Key Takeaways

  • In an all-stock transaction, First Wave will merge with privately held ImmunogenX and work to advance the latter’s Phase III-ready ERT to the finish line in...

Both biotechs have struggled in recent years. Focused on targeted, non-systemic drugs for gastrointestinal diseases, First Wave trimmed its head count by 20% in April 2022, following a Phase II...

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