GSK has made a significant move to strengthen its respiratory medicine portfolio by announcing a $1.4 billion acquisition of Aiolos Bio at the JP Morgan Healthcare conference. The deal, which includes a substantial $1 billion upfront payment and up to $400 million in potential milestone payments, centers around Aiolos' promising asthma treatment candidate AIO-001.
AIO-001 represents a new generation of asthma treatments, targeting thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), the same pathway as AstraZeneca's Tezspire. What sets AIO-001 apart is its potential for twice-yearly dosing, a significant improvement over the monthly administration required for current treatments, including Tezspire.
Expanding Treatment Options for Severe Asthma
The acquisition holds particular promise for addressing an unmet medical need in asthma treatment. While GSK's current biological therapy Nucala (mepolizumab) is limited to patients with Type 2 (T2) inflammation, AIO-001 could potentially treat a broader patient population, including the 40% of severe asthma patients with low T2 inflammation who have limited treatment options.
Tony Wood, GSK's chief scientific officer, emphasized the strategic fit: "We have a proud heritage and deep development expertise in respiratory medicines. Adding AIO-001, a potentially best-in-class medicine targeting the TSLP pathway, could expand the reach of our current respiratory biologics portfolio."
Development Status and Future Potential
The San Francisco-based Aiolos, which also operates in the UK, acquired AIO-001's rights outside Greater China from Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals. The drug has already completed phase 1 trials, reducing development risk for GSK as it moves toward phase 2 studies.
Beyond asthma, AIO-001 shows promise in treating several other inflammatory conditions, including:
- Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
- Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU)
Strategic Pipeline Enhancement
This acquisition follows GSK's broader strategy to reinforce its pipeline, coming after their $2 billion purchase of Bellus Health, which added camlipixant, a late-stage chronic cough therapy. These strategic moves are particularly timely as GSK prepares for the 2027 patent expiration of dolutegravir, a major HIV drug in their portfolio.
Khurem Farooq, Aiolos' chief executive, expressed confidence in the partnership, citing GSK's extensive experience in respiratory therapies and shared commitment to patient care. The deal positions GSK to maintain its strong presence in respiratory medicine while potentially offering patients a more convenient treatment option for severe asthma.
