Promethera Biosciences acquires Baliopharm

Belgian cell therapy company Promethera Biosciences has acquired Baliopharm, a Swiss biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of targeted biological therapies for immune mediated inflammatory diseases and cancer.

The transaction complements Promethera’s pipeline with an innovative antibody-based drug candidate that specifically binds to the tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1). Combining this novel therapeutic strategy with Promethera’s unique liver cell-based therapies could provide improved treatment option for patients suffering from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and potentially other severe liver diseases. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

With the TNF-alpha pathway and its Receptor 1 (R1) being implicated in the progression of many inflammatory diseases, including chronic liver diseases leading to fibrosis, a therapeutic antibody approach is a valuable strategy in its own right as well as in combination with Promethera’s cell-based medicines such as the HepaStem technology. Through today’s transaction, Promethera gains control over Baliopharm’s entire antibody development programs in particular the one focused on establishing a unique next-generation and selective TNF-R1 inhibitor including the novel, antibody based monovalent drug candidate Atrosimab.