Incyte Corporation sees potential in Escient Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s MRGPR X2 and X4 antagonists to augment ongoing programs in its pipeline and to begin generating revenue at about the same time that the biotech’s top-seller, Jakafi (ruxolitinib), is slated to lose US patent protection. That was a driving factor behind the Delaware-based firm’s decision to pay $750m for privately held Escient, which brings a pair of Phase II assets to Incyte’s existing inflammation and immune disease pipeline.
Key Takeaways
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Incyte will pay $750m to acquire privately held Escient in an effort to boost its R&D pipeline ahead of Jakafi’s US patent expiration in 2028.
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Escient brings a pair of first-in-class MRGP receptor antagonists to Incyte, which might offer potential in urticaria, atopic dermatitis and pruritus
EP262, a first-in-class oral antagonist of Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2), is the primary impetus for the deal, Incyte head of research and development Pablo Cagnoni said in an interview on 23 April, but the company also sees significant potential for EP547, an MRGPRX4 antagonist for itch-related indications
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