Inflazome has closed a share purchase agreement with Roche in which Inflazome’s shareholders received an upfront payment of €380 million and are eligible to receive additional contingent payments to be made based on the achievement of certain predetermined milestones.
Inflazome was founded in 2016 by leading medical researchers Prof Matt Cooper (University of Queensland, Australia) and Prof Luke O’Neill (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland). The company is a leader in the development of inflammasome inhibitors.
The acquisition gives Roche full rights to Inflazome’s entire portfolio, which is composed of clinical and preclinical orally available small molecule NLRP3 inhibitors. Roche intends to further develop NLRP3 inhibitors across a wide variety of indications with high unmet medical need.
Matt Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, Inflazome, commented: “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 organisation, Inflazome’s pioneering molecules are well positioned to be developed quickly and effectively so they can help patients suffering from debilitating diseases.”
Manus Rogan, Chairman and cofounding investor of Inflazome, said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside Matt, his team and my coinvestors. The company, which was established just 4 years ago, developed a portfolio of clinical and preclinical molecules with a lean, highly experienced team and limited invested capital.”
Lazard acted as financial adviser and Goodwin Procter and Byrne Wallace acted as legal counsel to Inflazome.