Incyte to acquire Vega Therapeutics for $1.25B to expand hematology pipeline
Incyte (NASDAQ:INCY) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Vega Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Star Therapeutics, for an upfront payment of $1.25 billion.
The deal includes potential additional payments of up to $750 million contingent upon the achievement of sales milestones, bringing the total potential consideration to $2 billion.
The acquisition is designed to bolster Incyte’s hematology portfolio through the addition of VGA039, a novel, first-in-class monoclonal antibody.
VGA039 targets Protein S to improve hemostasis and is currently in Phase 3 pivotal development for von Willebrand disease (VWD), the most common inherited bleeding disorder.
By offering a subcutaneous prophylactic dosing regimen, VGA039 aims to provide a more convenient alternative to the standard-of-care factor replacement therapies, which currently require frequent intravenous infusions.
VGA039 has already received significant regulatory support from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track, orphan drug, and rare pediatric disease designations.
The asset is currently being evaluated in the global Phase 3 VIVID-6 study (NCT07115004), which is investigating the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous VGA039 as prophylaxis for bleeding across all types of VWD.
The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both Incyte and Star Therapeutics.
It is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
