Roche acquires Irish inflammasome company Inflazome for €380m

Roche acquisition of Inflazome : Swiss drug giant Roche has acquired Irish biotech company Inflazome, a developer of inflammasome inhibitors, for an upfront payment of €380 million.

The Irish pharma company will also stand to get additional contingent payments, which will be based on the meeting of certain predetermined milestones. Inflazome was a portfolio company of European life sciences venture capital firm Forbion.

Founded in 2016, Inflazome has been focused on developing orally available NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors for addressing clinical unmet needs across a wide range of inflammatory diseases.

Matt Cooper – CEO of Inflazome, commenting on Roche acquisition of Inflazome, said: “We are delighted to close this deal with Roche, an outstanding pharmaceutical company with a broad commitment to multiple indications. With Inflazome now part of the Roche organization, Inflazome’s pioneering molecules are well positioned to be developed quickly and effectively so they can help patients suffering from debilitating diseases.”

Roche acquires Irish inflammasome company Inflazome for €380m. Photo courtesy of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

The transaction gives Roche full rights to the Irish pharma company’s entire portfolio, which is made up of clinical and preclinical orally available small molecule NLRP3 inhibitors.

Roche plans to further develop NLRP3 inhibitors across a wide range of indications with high unmet medical need, said Inflazome.

The inflammasome company raised €55 million in venture capital financing from Forbion, Longitude Capital, Novartis Venture Fund, and Fountain Healthcare Partners.

Commenting on Roche acquisition of Inflazome, Marco Boorsma – Forbion General Partner said: “Having been the lead investor in Inflazome’s Series B fundraising in 2018, we are pleased to see this deal closed with Roche, a trusted partner, which leaves the Company well-positioned to unlock the potential of its NLRP3 inhibitors.

“We believe this transaction reflects well on the Forbion team to help companies grow and develop, and delivering excellent returns to our funds. We are delighted to have been part of Inflazome’s journey and will follow the development of Inflazome‘s promising compounds with great interest.”