Vifor Pharma inks $340m deal with Angion Biomedica Inc.

Under the deal, Zurich-based Vifor Pharma will pay $30m upfront, make a $30m equity investment in Angion Biomedica and hold out the prospect of paying $280m in milestones upon EU and US market approval plus tiered royalties. Angion Biomedica’s ANG-3777 is in late-stage trials to determine whether it helps kidney transplant patients at risk of impaired functioning of the donated organ. It is also in an earlier-stage study for acute kidney injury associated with cardiac surgery.

Vifor is seeking to boost its nephrology portfolio, where it already has drugs in trials for anaemia due to chronic kidney disease and vasculitis. The company also has a joint venture with Germany’s Fresenius to provide products and services for chronic kidney disease patients.