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. 

Otsuka's obtains JNT-517 by the $1.1bn-worth acquisition of Janna.
Otsuka paying up to $1.3bn for US discovery platform company Jnana • Source: Shutterstock

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.

More from Deals

Asia Deal Watch: Dr. Reddy’s Gets Regional Rights To Pair Of Bio-Thera Biosimilars

 

Plus deals involving GV20/Mitsubishi Tanabe, Kaken/Alumis, AstraZeneca/Alteogen and deal terminations involving Clover/Gavi Alliance and Rhythm/RareStone.

Novo Adds Lexicon’s Novel Obesity Drug To Deal Flurry

 

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.

Deal Watch: Eyenovia Looks At New Direction In Proposed Merger With Betaliq

 
• By 

Plus deals involving Relmada/Trigone, Alvotech/Xbrane, OPKO Health/Entera, iOncologi/TargImmune and more.

Merck Doubles Down On Oral Lipid-Lowering Drugs With Hengrui’s Lp(a) Asset

 
• By 

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

Can New US FDA Commissioner Makary Calm Agency During Turbulent Times?

 

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.

Deal Watch: Eyenovia Looks At New Direction In Proposed Merger With Betaliq

 
• By 

Plus deals involving Relmada/Trigone, Alvotech/Xbrane, OPKO Health/Entera, iOncologi/TargImmune and more.

Wave Aspires To Accelerated Approval In DMD With 48-Week Data

 
• By 

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.