AbbVie, a North Chicago, IL-based pharmaceutical company known for developing medicines and solutions addressing serious health issues, has announced the acquisition of Celsius Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company based in Cambridge, MA, focused on developing therapies for inflammatory diseases.
Details of the Acquisition
Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie acquired all outstanding equity of Celsius Therapeutics for $250 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments.
About Celsius Therapeutics
Led by CEO Tariq Kassum, M.D., Celsius Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to creating novel medicines for inflammatory diseases. The company’s lead therapeutic candidate is CEL383, an investigational antibody targeting TREM1. In preclinical assays, CEL383 has demonstrated the ability to inhibit TREM1 signaling, thereby reducing levels of multiple inflammatory mediators relevant to clinical inflammatory conditions.
- CEL383 Clinical Development: A phase 1 first-in-human, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of CEL383 in healthy volunteers has concluded.
Scientific Background
TREM1 (Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 1) has been identified as a critical disease driver gene in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is expressed on inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils and is involved in amplifying inflammation by acting upstream of multiple known inflammatory pathways.
Strategic Importance
This acquisition enhances AbbVie’s portfolio in the area of inflammatory diseases by integrating Celsius Therapeutics’ innovative therapeutic approaches. The development of CEL383 and its focus on TREM1 signaling aligns with AbbVie’s commitment to advancing treatments for conditions with high unmet medical needs.
What we think
The acquisition of Celsius Therapeutics by AbbVie marks a strategic move to bolster AbbVie’s capabilities in treating inflammatory diseases. By incorporating Celsius’ advanced research and promising therapeutic candidate, CEL383, AbbVie aims to further its mission of delivering impactful medicines and solutions for patients suffering from serious health conditions.
