GSK acquires RAPT Therapeutics for $2.2bn

In a bid to bolster its immunology portfolio, GSK is acquiring nutrient allergy specializer RAPT Therapeutics for up to $2.2bn.

This buyout, which is 1 of the archetypal large deals of 2026, volition spot the UK-based pharma wage $58.00 per stock astatine closing, reaching an approximate aggregate equity worth of $2.2bn. This volition spot GSK wage importantly much for each of RAPT’s stocks compared with its closing banal worth connected 16 January, which sat astatine $35.10 per share.

The cause successful the spotlight of this woody is long-acting, anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) prophylactic nutrient allergy candidate, ozureprubart – which GSK volition summation the planetary commercialized rights to extracurricular of China, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong. It is presently being investigated successful the Phase IIb prestIgE survey (NCT07220811), which is enrolling patients successful the US, Australia and Canada. The survey is acceptable to work retired successful 2027.

According to GSK, if ozureprubart were to get the regulatory greenlight successful the nutrient allergy indication, it could go a “best-in-class” medication. This is chiefly owed to its once-quarterly dosing schedule, which sets it isolated from different marketed therapies that necessitate dosing erstwhile each two-to-four weeks.

Since the woody was announced, RAPT’s banal worth is acceptable to climb, with pre-market trading reaching $57.41 (correct astatine 5.50am ET) from $35.10 astatine adjacent connected 16 January.

It appears that GSK is banking connected immunology arsenic a beardown country of aboriginal growth, arsenic the institution antecedently inked a woody worthy up to $12bn with Hengrui Pharma involving immunology, respiratory and oncology assets. The astir notable campaigner of the woody was PDE3/4 inhibitor HRS-9821, which is being evaluated arsenic a attraction for chronic obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD).

The pharma besides inked a five-year £50m ($54.3m) R&D statement with the University of Cambridge backmost successful precocious 2024, which volition spot the brace collaborate to make caller treatments for diseases driven by immune dysfunction.

Across the pharma industry, galore companies are gearing up for 1 of the astir salient patent cliffs successful caller years, with respective blockbuster therapies acceptable to suffer marketplace exclusivity by 2030.

According to GlobalData, genitor institution of Pharmaceutical Technology, the losses acceptable to interaction much than fractional of the apical 15 pharma companies could effect successful a $230bn nonaccomplishment to the US marketplace betwixt 2025 and 2030, meaning companies are keen to offset these losses.

In a presumption astatine the 44th Annual 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, GSK’s CSO, Tony Wood, noted that the UK-based pharma is hoping to thin connected artificial quality (AI)-driven, early-stage R&D to fortify its pipeline and offset losses associated with cause patent expiry.