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ABBV to Boost Immunology Pipeline With Capstan Buyout for $2.1B
AbbVieAbbVie(US:ABBV) ZACKSยท2025-07-01 15:05

Core Viewpoint - AbbVie has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Capstan Therapeutics for up to $2.1 billion in cash, aiming to enhance its immunology pipeline with innovative therapies [1][7]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition will incorporate Capstan's lead asset, CPTX2309, which is a potential first-in-class in vivo tLNP anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy currently in phase I development for treating B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases [2][3]. - Capstan's proprietary tLNP platform technology, CellSeeker, will also be added, facilitating RNA delivery to engineer specific cell types within the body [2][7]. - The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals [3]. AbbVie's Acquisition Strategy - AbbVie has been actively pursuing acquisitions to strengthen its pipeline, particularly in the immunology sector, while also exploring early-stage deals in oncology and neuroscience [4]. - Since the beginning of 2024, AbbVie has signed over 20 early-stage deals, focusing on promising technologies that can enhance care standards in immunology, oncology, and neuroscience [4]. Recent Acquisitions - Earlier in 2024, AbbVie acquired rights to develop GUB014295 (ABBV-295), a long-acting amylin analog for obesity treatment, marking its entry into the obesity market [5]. - In January 2025, AbbVie completed the acquisition of Nimble Therapeutics, adding an investigational oral peptide IL23R inhibitor for psoriasis treatment and a proprietary peptide synthesis platform for autoimmune diseases [8].