ALPN - Alpine: Vertex Acquisition Brings About More Than IgA Nephropathy Advancement
2024-04-11 16:48:36 ET
Summary
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is acquiring Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. for $4.9 billion in cash to obtain the use of povetacicept for IgAN and other kidney disorders.
- Positive results of povetacicept for treatment of patients with IgAN were first revealed at ASN Kidney Week In November 2023, with additional positive data just released the other day.
- Povetacicept is also being explored in RUBY-4 study targeting patients with autoimmune cytopenias; Data from this study will be released at a medical meeting in the 1st half of 2024.
- A phase 2 trial initiation, using povetacicept for the treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, is expected in the 2nd half of 2024.
The last time I spoke about Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. ( ALPN ) was when it was gearing up to report additional data from its phase 1/2 RUBY-3 study using povetacicept for the treatment of patients with various kidney diseases, since this was a basket study. I wrote about this biotech in a prior Seeking Alpha article entitled " Alpine Immune Sciences: November 2023 Data Release Could Get Ball Rolling. " In this article, I spoke about it gearing up to report data from this study, which was to be presented at the American Society of Nephrology [ASN] Kidney Week medical meeting. I'm pleased to report that it presented a positive late-breaking poster at this medical meeting, showing that the low dose of povetacicept was able to reduce urine protein to creatinine ratio [UPCR] by 50% in patients with IgA Nephropathy [IgAN]....
Alpine: Vertex Acquisition Brings About More Than IgA Nephropathy Advancement