GSK strengthens food allergy ambitions with $2.2bn RAPT Therapeutics acquisition
GSK has agreed to acquire California-based RAPT Therapeutics in a deal valued at $2.2 billion (€ 1.88 billion), expanding its respiratory, immunology and inflammation portfolio with a late-stage food allergy candidate. The transaction gives GSK global rights to ozureprubart, a long-acting anti-IgE monoclonal antibody now in phase IIb clinical development.
A strategic move into food allergy care
Food allergies are rising worldwide and pose serious health risks, especially for children. In the United States alone, more than 17 million people live with diagnosed food allergies, and over 1.3 million suffer severe reactions each year. Many of these reactions are driven by immunoglobulin E, or IgE, a well-established trigger of allergic immune responses.
According to GSK, around 94% of severe food allergies are IgE-mediated, making the target clinically validated and commercially attractive.
Less frequent dosing, broader patient reach
Current anti-IgE treatments, such as Novartis and Roche’s injectable IgE antibody inhibitor Xolair, require injections every two to four weeks, a demanding schedule for patients and families. Ozureprubart aims to reduce that burden. Its clinical profile supports dosing every 12 weeks, which could improve adherence and quality of life.
The drug may also open treatment to patients who cannot use existing therapies. GSK estimates that roughly 25% of people with food allergies remain ineligible for current anti-IgE options.
Tony Wood, GSK’s chief scientific officer, highlighted the unmet need. “Food allergies cause severe health impacts to patients, with existing treatment requiring injections as frequently as every two weeks,” he said. “Ozureprubart offers the opportunity to bring sustained protection to patients with dosing every 12 weeks.”
Clinical timeline and development plans
RAPT is running a phase IIb trial, known as prestIgE, that evaluates ozureprubart as a monotherapy. Data from the study are expected in 2027. GSK plans phase III trials in both adult and pediatric populations who face a high risk of severe reactions.
GSK mentions that children and adolescents account for roughly 65% of severe food allergy cases. Emergency visits linked to allergic reactions exceed three million annually in the U.S., underscoring the pressure on health systems and families alike.
Deal terms and pipeline impact
GSK will pay RAPT shareholders $58 per share in cash, for an upfront investment of $1.9 billion (€1.68 billion) after accounting for acquired cash. The agreement excludes rights in mainland China, Macau, Taiwan and Hong Kong, where the drug is owned by a Jemincare’s subsidiary. GSK will also assume milestone and royalty obligations tied to RAPT’s partner in China.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions. For GSK, the acquisition fits a broader strategy of adding late-stage assets that address validated targets with clear clinical demand. For RAPT, the deal provides access to global development and commercialization capabilities.
Brian Wong, RAPT’s president and CEO, said the agreement “has the potential to bring added value to our pipeline, patients and stockholders,” as ozureprubart moves toward late-stage development.
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