AbbVie to Acquire Capstan Therapeutics for $21 Billion, Boosting Autoimmune Disease Treatments

AbbVie Inc. has agreed to acquire Capstan Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, for up to $21 billion in cash. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. This acquisition marks a significant strategic move for AbbVie, as it seeks to enhance its capabilities in developing cutting-edge treatments for autoimmune diseases.

Capstan Therapeutics is primarily focused on developing in vivo CAR-T therapies, aiming to combine the powerful efficacy of CAR-T therapies with the convenience of "off-the-shelf" products for treating autoimmune diseases. The core candidate product, CPTX2309, is a potential breakthrough in this field. This candidate is a first-in-class drug targeting B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. The therapy involves the use of lipid nanoparticle (tLNP) delivery to target CD19 CAR-T cells and is currently in the first stage of clinical development.

In addition to CPTX2309, AbbVie will also acquire Capstan's proprietary tLNP platform technology. This technology is designed to deliver RNA payloads, such as mRNA, to engineer specific cell types within the body. This acquisition will allow AbbVie to leverage Capstan's innovative platform to advance its research and development efforts in the field of autoimmune diseases.

Roopal Thakkar, AbbVie's Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer, and Chief Scientific Officer, commented on the acquisition, stating, "By advancing the development of CPTX2309 and utilizing Capstan's innovative platform technology, AbbVie and Capstan are committed to changing the treatment paradigm for patients with autoimmune diseases through potentially transformative therapies that could reshape the immune system."

This acquisition underscores AbbVie's commitment to advancing innovative therapies and expanding its portfolio in the biotechnology sector. The deal is expected to enhance AbbVie's capabilities in developing cutting-edge treatments for autoimmune diseases, leveraging Capstan's expertise in in vivo CAR-T therapies. The transaction is anticipated to close in the near future, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.