Key Takeaways
- Gilead Sciences is acquiring full ownership of arenavirus immunotherapies for hepatitis B and HIV from Hookipa Pharma for $10 million.
- The acquisition includes the ongoing HB-500 clinical trial, which will be wound down by Hookipa.
- Gilead’s investment follows a long-term collaboration and its focus on expanding its portfolio in the antiviral market.
Acquisition Details
Gilead Sciences has finalized a $10 million deal for sole ownership of arenavirus immunotherapies aimed at treating hepatitis B (HBV) and HIV, developed through its partnership with Hookipa Pharma. This acquisition comes shortly after the commencement of a phase 1a/1b trial for HB-400, a therapeutic vaccine targeting chronic HBV, and while Hookipa’s early-stage trial of HB-500 for HIV is still underway.
The financial structure of the acquisition includes an immediate payment of $3 million upon closing, with the remaining $7 million distributed through a three-stage transfer plan, as disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing dated May 22. Notably, Hookipa will cease its involvement in the HB-500 trial, which had an enrollment target of 30 participants and was set to conclude in November.
Both immunotherapy candidates utilize the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and pichinde virus as their backbone, designed to express specific antigens to combat HBV and HIV. This latest deal marks a progression from a previous agreement in 2022, where Gilead contributed $15 million upfront along with a $5 million equity stake. That deal also included potential payments of up to $10 million for program completion, as well as milestone payments that could total $162.5 million, in addition to $65 million in commercialization bonuses.
Gilead’s collaborations with Hookipa date back to 2018, when the pharmaceutical giant first licensed technology aimed at immunization against HBV and HIV. However, in 2021, Gilead opted not to advance a corresponding HIV immunotherapy into clinical trials. This reversal led to the reestablishment of their collaboration in 2022, highlighting a renewed commitment to developing immunotherapies.
The financial performance of Gilead has seen significant growth, with the company reporting $19.6 billion in HIV-related sales last year, largely driven by products like Biktarvy and Descovy. They have not yet launched a therapeutic vaccine but are poised to do so soon, as they prepare to introduce their HIV drug lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis.
In the realm of hepatitis B treatments, Gilead is already a player with its marketed drug Vemlidy, yet the addition of the HB-400 vaccine would enhance its offerings in a competitive market where others have struggled. Recent setbacks for GSK and Vir Biotechnology regarding similar “functional cures” for HBV have heightened interest in Gilead’s potential innovation.
The decision to acquire HB-400 and HB-500 signals a supportive strategy from Gilead towards Hookipa, especially following a series of challenges the biotech has faced, including the termination of a merger with Poolbeg Pharma and layoffs after Roche withdrew from a collaboration related to Hookipa’s HB-700 program for KRAS-mutated cancers.
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