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Vertex Enters Into Agreement to Acquire Alpine Immune Sciences


BOSTON & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) and Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALPN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative, protein-based immunotherapies, today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Vertex will acquire Alpine for $65 per share or approximately $4.9 billion in cash. The transaction was unanimously approved by both the Vertex and Alpine Boards of Directors and is anticipated to close later this quarter.

Alpine’s lead molecule, povetacicept (ALPN-303), is a highly potent and effective dual antagonist of BAFF (B cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation inducing ligand). Through Phase 2 development, povetacicept has shown potential best-in-class efficacy in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). IgAN is a serious, progressive, autoimmune disease of the kidney that can lead to end-stage-renal disease. There are no approved therapies that target the underlying cause of IgAN. IgAN is the most common cause of primary (idiopathic) glomerulonephritis worldwide, affecting approximately 130,000 people in the U.S. Povetacicept is on track to enter Phase 3 clinical development in the second half of 2024.


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