GSK has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire California-based RAPT Therapeutics for $58.00 per share, representing a total equity value of $2.2 billion. The acquisition secures GSK’s global rights to a promising long-acting antibody designed to prevent severe food allergic reactions.
Technological advantages of ozureprubart The core asset of the deal is ozureprubart, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody currently in Phase IIb development. The drug is positioned as a potential best-in-class therapy with several key advantages over existing treatments:
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Extended Dosing Schedule: Ozureprubart offers the possibility of dosing every 12 weeks, a significant improvement over current therapies that require injections every two to four weeks.
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Broadening Patient Eligibility: The drug’s high potency and extended half-life make it suitable for the roughly 25% of patients currently ineligible for anti-IgE treatments (such as Xolair) due to high BMI or elevated IgE levels.
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Sustained Protection: It is engineered to provide prophylactic protection, preventing the immune system from triggering harmful inflammatory responses to food allergens.
Strategic integration and future milestones The acquisition aligns with GSK’s focus on immunology and its existing commercial footprint in allergy treatment. GSK expects results from the Phase IIb “prestIgE” trial in 2027, with Phase III trials for both adult and pediatric populations planned to follow. By integrating RAPT’s programs, GSK aims to leverage its global infrastructure to bring this innovative therapy to a wider patient base.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.