GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) PLC and ViiV Healthcare, its worldwide HIV vaccine and treatment business, recently finalized an agreement to purchase HIV assets from Bristol-Meyers Squibb.
There are two different agreements for two acquisitions. The first is for the purchase of the research and development assets about late-stage HIV. The second is for the assets and portfolio of the company’s discovery and pre-clinical stage HIV research.
According to the agreements, ViiV will now own fostemsavir (BMS-663068), which is an attachment inhibitor. It is now is Phase II of its development specifically for patients who are heavily treatment experienced.
The second asset in late stage development is BMS-955176 maturation inhibitor. It is now in phase II-B development for patients who are either treatment-naïve or experienced.
The acquisition includes another back-up maturation inhibitor candidate called BMS-986173, as well as a triple mechanism of action, an allosteric integrase inhibitor, a capsid inhibitor, and an additional maturation inhibitor.
“These acquisitions strengthen our leadership and innovation in HIV, one of our core areas of scientific research at GSK,” David Redfern, chief strategy officer at GSK and chairman of ViiV Healthcare, said. “The addition of two potential first-in-class late-stage treatments and several promising early clinical development programs strengthens ViiV Healthcare’s pipeline and provides us with further new opportunities for growth.”
