Arcutis to acquire UK biotech Ducentis Bio

8 September 2022

LifeArc revealed that its portfolio company Ducentis BioTherapeutics, a pre-clinical-stage UK biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for inflammation and autoimmune diseases, has been acquired by Arcutis Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: ARQT), a California, USA-based early commercial stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovations in immuno-dermatology.

LifeArc was Ducentis’ largest investor, recognizing the transformational potential of its science and supporting its early translational research. Arcutis shares closed up 2% at $21.54 following the announcement on Wednesday.

Ducentis’ lead pre-clinical asset, DS-234, is being developed for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, a rapidly growing, significantly underserved market. DS-234 is a fusion protein that is a highly selective and potent agonist of CD200R, an immune-regulatory receptor thought to be an important immunological checkpoint, with a pivotal role in maintenance of immune tolerance.

This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free. A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.

Try before you buy

Free

7 day trial access

Take a Free Trial

All the news that moves the needle in pharma and biotech
Exclusive features, podcasts, interviews, data analyses and commentary from our global network of life sciences reporters.
Receive The Pharma Letter daily news bulletin, free forever.

Become a subscriber

£820

Or £77 per month

Subscribe Now

Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription

The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed

Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK