Incyte Gains Autoimmune Drug Candidate in Purchase of Villaris Therapeutics

Wilmington, Del.-based Incyte has acquired Villaris Therapeutics, gaining its lead asset auremolimab, an investigational drug for treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Auremolimab is a monoclonal antibody being investigated as a trement for vitiligo — a condition in which the skin loses its pigment — and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

The drug candidate has demonstrated efficacy as a treatment for vitiligo in preclinical models and is expected to enter clinical development in 2023.

Incyte will make an upfront payment of $70 million, and Villaris shareholders will be eligible for up to $310 million in future milestone payments for achieving development and regulatory goals. They will also be eligible for an additional $1.05 billion in payments for future sales of the product.