Bristol Myers Squibb and private equity firm Bain Capital announced the formation of an independent company dedicated to developing immunology drugs, supported by a $300 million financing round led by Bain Capital. The venture represents a strategic partnership designed to advance five experimental drugs licensed from Bristol Myers while allowing the pharmaceutical giant to refocus its immunology research efforts.
Asset Portfolio and Clinical Pipeline
The new company will take responsibility for developing five experimental immunology drugs from Bristol Myers' portfolio, including two particularly promising candidates. Among the assets is a late-stage lupus treatment that has progressed through advanced clinical trials, alongside a mid-stage psoriasis drug that has demonstrated encouraging results in clinical studies.
These assets represent significant therapeutic potential in addressing autoimmune conditions, with the lupus treatment having reached late-stage development and the psoriasis candidate showing promise in mid-stage trials.
Financial Structure and Equity Arrangement
Under the partnership agreement, Bristol Myers will maintain nearly 20% equity in the new venture while positioning itself to receive royalties and milestone payments tied to the success of the drug development programs. This structure allows Bristol Myers to retain financial upside from the assets while transferring operational responsibility to the independent company.
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board also participated in the financing round, adding institutional backing to the venture's capital structure.
Strategic Focus and Leadership
The collaboration enables Bristol Myers to concentrate its immunology research on treatments specifically aimed at resetting the immune system, while ensuring the continued development of promising assets through the new company. "These assets have significant potential, and we are confident that this new company will drive their development to ensure greater impact for patients," said Julie Rozenblyum, senior vice president of business development at Bristol Myers.
Daniel Lynch, a seasoned pharmaceutical executive, will serve as executive chairman and interim CEO of the new company. The board will include Bristol Myers' chief research officer Robert Plenge alongside partners from Bain Capital, creating a governance structure that combines pharmaceutical expertise with investment management experience.
Industry Implications
This partnership model reflects a growing trend in the pharmaceutical industry where established companies leverage private equity partnerships to advance specific therapeutic programs while maintaining strategic focus on core research areas. The structure allows for specialized attention to the immunology assets while providing Bristol Myers with continued financial participation in their success.
