Chiesi picks a pipeline fight with Novartis, going head-to-head on a big new target for asthma
Early in 2016 the UK’s Atopix Therapeutics was forced to admit that its lead drug, OC459, had failed a mid-stage study for atopic dermatitis. But it’s also been building on a positive set of mid-stage data for eosinophilic asthma, and today Italy’s Chiesi has bagged the drug and the company in an $82 million acquisition deal.
Atopix has been squarely focused on a hot spot in asthma research. Eosinophilic asthma — which is particularly severe — is suffered by about 40% of the overall population. And it’s been attracting some powerhouse attention from the top players in the field also interested in Atopix’s focus on a CRTh2 antagonist.
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