Incyte’s hopes for mast cell program spur $750M Escient takeout

With its $750 million acquisition of privately held Escient, Incyte is adding a pair of clinical assets for inflammatory and dermatological disorders, including an urticaria program the company believes can be a blockbuster.

Incyte Corp. (NASDAQ:INCY) will receive MRGPRX2 antagonist EP262, which is in Phase Ib/II testing to treat two forms of urticaria as well as atopic dermatitis, and MRGPRX4 inhibitor EP547, in the Phase II PACIFIC study to treat cholestatic pruritus. The biotech believes each can be first in class, and expects proof-of-concept data for each program in early 2025...