Drugmaker Swedish Orphan Biovitrum said on Saturday it had agreed to acquire U.S.-based biotechnology company Arthrosi Therapeutics for up to $1.5 billion to strengthen its portfolio of gout treatments.
Sobi will pay $950 million upfront in cash and up to $550 million in cash in clinical, regulatory and sales milestones, the company said.
San Diego, California-headquartered Arthrosi is developing an experimental treatment for gout that has been shown in mid-stage trials to be effective in achieving a sustained reduction in serum uric acid with a well-tolerated safety profile.
There are currently two late-stage trials underway with data expected in 2026.
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body, leading to pain and swelling in the joints.
“The acquisition of Arthrosi allows us to expand our gout pipeline with a highly differentiated new asset,” Sobi CEO Guido Oelkers said in a statement.
Sobi plans to fund the upfront payment mainly through debt, using existing credit facilities and a new credit line. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary conditions, Sobi said.
Source: Reuters.com