GSK acquires Canadian pulmonary hypertension drug developer for nearly US$1bn

BRITISH pharmaceutical giant GSK has acquired Canada-based biotech firm 35Pharma, a developer of pulmonary hypertension (PH) treatments, in a deal worth up to US$950m. 

35Pharma is a clinical-stage drug developer focused on novel protein-based therapies, including an “activin signalling inhibitor” designed to treat PH. This class of drugs is expected to play an increasingly important role in the future development of PH treatments. 

Early clinical studies suggest that 35Pharma’s drug, HS235, could also have other benefits beyond treating PH, including fat-selective weight loss, preservation of lean mass and improved insulin sensitivity. 

PH is a life-threatening condition caused by high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs which can ultimately lead to heart failure. It affects around 82 million people around the world. Despite this, there is no cure and treatment options are limited, with just 50% of patients surviving five years with the disease. 

The HS235 drug is designed to reduce binding to ligands associated with bleeding, a key limitation in current PH treatment. 

Kaivan Khavandi, senior vice-president at GSK, said: “We are committed to advancing this novel, differentiated option to expand the limited treatments currently available.”