GSK to Buy Rapt Therapeutics in $2.2B Deal to Bolster Allergy Pipeline

GSK (NYSE: GSK) said Tuesday it has agreed to acquire Rapt Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RAPT) in a transaction valued at roughly $2.2 billion, expanding its respiratory, immunology and inflammation pipeline with a late-stage allergy-focused antibody program.

Under the deal, GSK will gain control of ozureprubart, an investigational therapy designed to block immunoglobulin E (IgE)... a key driver of allergic reactions. Rapt estimates that about 94% of severe food allergies are tied to IgE-mediated responses, making the target one of the most commercially important mechanisms in allergy medicine. Rapt shares surged sharply following the announcement, reflecting investor optimism around the potential of ozureprubart as a longer-interval alternative to existing IgE therapies.

Current IgE-blocking treatments, including Roche and Novartis’ Xolair, are typically administered every two to four weeks. Rapt is developing ozureprubart with a goal of dosing every eight to 12 weeks, which could improve convenience and adherence if clinical data supports comparable efficacy. Rapt has launched a Phase 2b study in food allergy, targeting patients with allergies to common triggers such as peanuts, milk, eggs, walnuts and cashews. The trial is designed to evaluate different dosing schedules versus placebo.

The company has also positioned ozureprubart as a potential option for patients who are not well served by existing therapies, including individuals who may be ineligible for current IgE blockers due to factors such as body weight or elevated IgE levels. Beyond food allergies, ozureprubart is also being evaluated in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), a condition that can cause persistent hives and itching linked to immune system activity involving IgE autoantibodies.

Rapt’s partner Jeyou Pharmaceutical previously presented results from a 16-week head-to-head study against Xolair in CSU, and has indicated plans to pursue further development in asthma, including a potential Phase 3 program. The acquisition gives GSK a deeper push into allergy and inflammation markets as large pharmaceutical companies continue competing for differentiated immunology assets.

About GSK

GSK plc (NYSE: GSK) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on vaccines and specialty medicines, including treatments in respiratory disease, immunology, oncology and infectious diseases. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and operates worldwide through research, manufacturing and commercial operations.

About Rapt Therapeutics

Rapt Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RAPT) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies targeting immune and inflammatory diseases. Its pipeline includes ozureprubart, an investigational IgE-blocking antibody being studied across food allergy and other allergy-related conditions.

At the time of publishing, Stocks.News does not hold positions in companies mentioned in the article.