Edgewise Therapeutics, a U.S.-based biotech company, has announced the sale of its muscular dystrophy business to French pharmaceutical firm Servier for up to $2.65 billion. The deal includes an upfront payment of $1.55 billion, with the potential for an additional $1.1 billion in milestone payments.

Details of the Acquisition

The acquisition grants Servier global rights to Edgewise’s experimental drug, sevasemten, which is being developed for the treatment of Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These genetic disorders cause progressive muscle weakness, with Becker being a milder form of the disease. While Duchenne has several treatments available, including Sarepta Therapeutics’ gene therapy Elevidys, there are currently no approved treatments for Becker muscular dystrophy.

Clinical trials of sevasemten have shown promising results, with improvements in muscle function for Becker patients and reductions in muscle damage markers, alongside a favorable safety profile.

Strategic Move for Servier

Olivier Laureau, President of Servier, stated that the acquisition is a key step in achieving the company’s 2030 ambition in neurology. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year and will include the transfer of intellectual property, clinical data, and staff supporting the program.

Future Plans for Edgewise

For Edgewise, the sale will bolster its financial position, allowing the company to focus on the development of its lead candidate, EDG-7500. This drug is currently being tested for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that thickens the heart muscle and impairs its ability to pump blood. Results from a mid-stage trial are anticipated in the second quarter.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.