AbbVie has completed the acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics.
With completion of the acquisition, Apogee is now part of AbbVie. Under the terms of the agreement, Apogee shareholders received $135.11 per share in cash, for a total equity value of approximately $10.9 billion.
Apogee’s pipeline includes novel antibodies targeting multiple validated inflammatory pathways in large immunology and inflammation markets, including atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Zumilokibart targets IL-13, a critical cytokine in type 2 inflammation, and a central driver of inflammatory diseases like AD and asthma. Specifically in AD, a majority of patients do not achieve simultaneous itch and skin improvement which represents an opportunity for the development of novel treatments that not only provide better skin clearance and itch resolution but also improve convenience with less frequent dosing.
In its phase 2 clinical trial, zumilokibart attained clinically significant results, with approximately two-thirds of patients on treatment achieving significant skin clearance at 16 weeks, along with notable improvements in itch reduction and overall disease control. These findings support its potential best-in-category profile, including strong efficacy and convenient dosing, in patients with AD.
Longer-term data from the same trial also support maintenance regimens of either quarterly or twice a year dosing. The safety profile of zumilokibart is favourable and consistent with other medicines in its class, and the molecule has the potential to be evaluated in several additional inflammatory indications.
Beyond zumilokibart, Apogee has built a broader pipeline of novel antibodies targeting multiple validated inflammatory pathways. APG273 combines zumilokibart with APG333, an antibody that blocks thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a signalling protein that acts as an early trigger of inflammation in the lungs.
Phase 1 data showed that APG333 has a long half-life and was able to suppress relevant type 2 inflammatory markers for up to six months after dosing. The phase 1 data with APG333 and positive interim results from a phase 1b study of zumilokibart in asthma, support the potential of the APG273 combination with quarterly or twice-yearly injections in asthma.
