Sobi buying Novimmune assets as it refocuses R&D

Less than a year after gaining an exclusive worldwide license for Gamifant emapalumab from Novimmune, Sobi is acquiring a newco formed around the hematology therapy for CHF515 million ($519.2 million) and restructuring its R&D pipeline around hematology and immunology.

The price tag for Gamifant includes the CHF400 million ($401 million) for which Novimmune S.A. (Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland) was eligible when Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (SSE:SOBI), anticipating FDA approval of anti-interferon γ (IFNγ) mAb for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), gained development and commercial rights to the drug in July. FDA approved the drug in November (see "Sobi Grabs Emapalumab" and "Novimmune's Emapalumab Gets FDA Approval")...