Regeneron to Acquire 23andMe for $256 Million, Expanding Genetics-Driven Drug Discovery Capabilities
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has won the bankruptcy auction for 23andMe's assets with a $256 million bid, aiming to maintain the consumer genetics service while enhancing its drug discovery platform.
• The acquisition includes 23andMe's Personal Genome Service, Total Health, Research Services, and Biobank assets, but excludes the Lemonaid Health business.
• Regeneron has committed to prioritizing privacy and ethical use of customer data, working with a court-appointed Customer Privacy Ombudsman to ensure compliance with existing policies.
EMA Panel Recommends Sparsentan for IgA Nephropathy, Paving Way for EU Approval
• The EMA's human medicines committee (CHMP) has recommended sparsentan for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) treatment in adults with significant proteinuria.
• Sparsentan, developed by Travere Therapeutics and CSL Vifor, is a dual endothelin type A (ETA) and angiotensin II subtype 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist.
• The positive opinion puts sparsentan on track to potentially become the first-in-class therapy for IgAN in Europe, following accelerated approval in the US as Filspari.
• Clinical data from the PROTECT study supported the recommendation, demonstrating a reduction in proteinuria, though eGFR improvement was not significant.
Swissmedic Approves Filspari (sparsentan) for IgA Nephropathy
• Swissmedic grants temporary marketing authorization for Filspari to treat IgA nephropathy in adults with specific urine protein excretion levels.
• The approval is based on Phase 3 PROTECT trial results, demonstrating statistically significant and clinically meaningful outcomes.
• Filspari, a once-daily oral medication, targets kidney damage directly and offers a non-immunosuppressive alternative to RASi treatments.
• CSL Vifor and Travere Therapeutics collaborate to provide access to this innovative treatment option for the Swiss IgAN community.
© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath