Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. is paying up to $1.3bn for private US-based drug discovery specialist Jnana Therapeutics Inc., in a deal that will give the Japanese major access to platform technology and phenylketonuria asset it sees as complementing its existing portfolio and earlier acquisitions.
Otsuka Gets Discovery Platform, PKU Asset In $1.3bn Jnana Acquisition
Major Japanese firm picks up US drug discovery platform company Jnana in apparent bid to strengthen discovery capabilities and build its mid-stage R&D presence in the renal area.

More from Deals
Plus deals involving GV20/Mitsubishi Tanabe, Kaken/Alumis, AstraZeneca/Alteogen and deal terminations involving Clover/Gavi Alliance and Rhythm/RareStone.
The obesity market leader has unveiled its second deal in days, paying $75m upfront for a potential first-in-class ACSL5 inhibitor, while the deal also provides some respite for Lexicon.
Plus deals involving Relmada/Trigone, Alvotech/Xbrane, OPKO Health/Entera, iOncologi/TargImmune and more.
Merck & Co., which already has an oral PCSK9 inhibitor in Phase III, licensed Hengrui’s Lipoprotein(a)-lowering small molecule HRS-5346 outside of Greater China for $200m up front.
More from Business
Stakeholders are pleading for newly confirmed FDA Commissioner Martin Makary to stand up for the agency's high scientific standards and staff as he begins his term.
Plus deals involving Relmada/Trigone, Alvotech/Xbrane, OPKO Health/Entera, iOncologi/TargImmune and more.
With its exon 53-skipping candidate already showing promise in 24-week data, Wave now has 48-week data showing improvements in muscle health and functional outcomes.