GSK agrees $2.2bn deal to buy RAPT for food-allergy drug ozureprubart

GSK has unveiled a $2.2bn deal to acquire Californian biotech RAPT Therapeutics, gaining rights to ozureprubart (Ozu), a long-acting drug in development to protect against severe food allergies. It is the first large deal announced by GSK’s new chief executive, Luke Miels, who took the reins at the start of the year.

RAPT is developing therapies for inflammatory and immunologic diseases, with Ozu designed to bind to and neutralise IgE, an underlying driver of food-allergy reactions. Ozu has been tested in people with peanut, milk, egg, cashew or walnut allergies and is currently in mid-stage clinical trials, the company said.

Data from the trial is expected next year and late-stage clinical studies are due to start in the second half of 2027, focused on children and adults who are at risk. If successful in those trials the drug could be launched in 2031 and is being described as a potential “blockbuster” with annual sales of at least $1bn; GSK is targeting total revenues of £40bn by that year.

Current treatment can involve injections every two to four weeks, while Ozu is given every 12 weeks and could be an option for the around 25% of patients currently ineligible for existing therapy. Tony Wood, GSK’s chief scientific officer, said: “The addition of ozureprubart brings another promising new, potential best-in-class treatment to GSK’s pipeline.

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Business, Gsk, Rapt Therapeutics, Ozureprubart, Luke Miels, Ige