9th Jan 2024 11:51
(Alliance News) - GSK PLC's latest acquisition of Aiolos Bio Inc reflects its focus on respiratory diseases, with the latter's key asset potentially offering a chance to differentiate from rivals, Third Bridge noted.
On Tuesday, GSK said it will acquire asthma drug developer Aiolos Bio for USD1 billion upfront, as well as up to USD400 million in certain success-based milestone payments.
The Brentford, West London-based pharmaceutical company said the acquisition will help boost its respiratory pipeline, as it will gain access to Aiolos' anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin monoclonal antibody, AIO-001.
According to GSK, AIO-001 is currently ready to enter phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of adult patients with asthma, with the potential for additional indications including chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
GSK Chief Scientific Director Tony Wood said: "Adding AIO-001, a potentially best-in-class medicine targeting the TSLP pathway, could expand the reach of our current respiratory biologics portfolio, including to the 40% of severe asthma patients with low T2 inflammation where treatment options are still needed."
After interviewing numerous executives, Third Bridge analyst Sebastien Skeet noted that the "relatively early stage therapy" AIO-001, which targets TSLP, which is a similar mechanism to AstraZeneca PLC and Amgen Inc's Tezspire, which is approved to treat severe asthma.
According to Berenberg-cited consensus, Tezspire is forecast to bring in global sales of around USD2.4 billion in 2028.
"Notably, AIO-001 has the potential to differentiate with twice-yearly dosing vs once monthly with Tezspire," Skeet noted.
The buy "reflects GSK's continued focus on, and legacy in, respiratory diseases", the Third Bridge analyst considered, and is "a key part of CEO Emma Walmsly's growth strategy".
"The 2023 approval of their [respiratory syncytial virus] Arexvy represent[s] the most recent win, with the upcoming phase 3 Matinee trial for Nucala in [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] representing another key catalyst in 2024," Skeet said.
Shares in GSK were up 1.1% to 1,565.20 pence each in London on Tuesday around midday.
By Elizabeth Winter, Alliance News deputy news editor
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