India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 20 January 2026
GSK acquires RAPT Therapeutics in a move that strengthens its allergy pipeline and expands its reach in immune-driven diseases.
The company announced today a definitive agreement to buy the California-based biotech, gaining global rights to ozureprubart, a long-acting anti-IgE monoclonal antibody now in Phase IIb development for food allergy protection.
IgE is a proven target and remains the only approved systemic approach shown to prevent dangerous allergic and inflammatory reactions. Nearly 94% of severe food allergies are driven by IgE responses. In the US alone, more than 17 million people live with food allergies, including over 1.3 million who face severe reactions that lead to more than 3 million hospital and emergency visits each year.
Also Read: India's Rare Disease Shift Driven by PRIP and PLI Policies
Current anti-IgE therapies require injections every two to four weeks, a heavy burden for patients and families, especially children. Ozureprubart may change that. Its profile supports dosing every 12 weeks and could open treatment access to about 25% of patients who cannot use existing options. The asset also fits well with GSK’s established allergy prescriber base.
Phase IIb data from the prestIgE trial is expected in 2027. Phase III studies will include both adults and children at risk. As GSK acquires RAPT Therapeutics, it also takes on milestone and royalty obligations tied to RAPT’s partner, Shanghai Jeyou Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., while excluding rights in mainland China, Macau, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Under the deal, GSK will pay $58.00 per share, valuing the equity at $2.2 billion, with an upfront investment of about $1.9 billion net of cash. The transaction will proceed via a tender offer and is subject to standard regulatory approvals, including review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act in the US.
.jpg)
.jpg)
