Merck & Co. castoff finds new life with $300M Blackstone-backed Uniquity
VaccineDrug ApprovalPhase 2Immunotherapy
Blackstone Life Sciences said it will invest up to $300 million to support portfolio company Uniquity Bio's immunology and inflammation programmes centred on its lead asset solrikitug.
The startup emerged from stealth on Wednesday and says the funding will help it advance the anti-TSLP antibody, which was in-licensed from Merck & Co., into Phase II trials for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The FDA has already given the go-ahead for the studies to commence.
Other pharmas already dabbling in the anti-TSLP space include AstraZeneca and partner Amgen whose Tezpire (Tezepelumab) antibody is approved in the US and EU for severe asthma. GSK is moving to challenge the duo after the takeout earlier this year of Aiolos Bio and its mid-stage anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody AIO-001 for up to $1.4 billion. For more, see Spotlight On: A look at the anti-TSLP pipeline.
Targeting ‘master switch’
"Given TSLP's position as the 'master switch' cytokine sitting at the top of the inflammatory cascade, solrikitug could have potential utility in a wide array of immunology and inflammation programmes," Uniquity said, adding the mid-stage development programme for solrikitug will get under way "in the next month." The company's pipeline also includes an early programme in an undisclosed gastrointestinal target.
Uniquity sees itself as a "nimble" startup, touting a business model that supports the development of "high-potential medicines" along with a range of collaboration structures that it says will drive maximum value, according to the company's release Wednesday.
"Our approach to development pairs the scientific rigour and quality standards of a global pharma company with the operational agility of a biotech startup, which allows us to move quickly without cutting corners," remarked Uniquity CEO Brian Lortie.
Meanwhile, Blackstone recently committed up to $750 million to support Moderna's mRNA-based vaccine programmes for influenza.
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