Baxter International Inc. has acquired SuppreMol, a biopharma company based in Martinsried, Germany developing treatments for autoimmune and allergic diseases, for approximately $225 million. Baxter gains SuppreMol’s early-stage portfolio of novel biologic immunoregulatory therapeutics focusing on the modulation of Fc receptor signaling pathways, an immune target that could have broad applications in autoimmune disorders. Additionally, Baxter will continue to operate SuppreMol’s operations in Munich.
 
SuppreMol’s lead candidate SM101, is an investigational immunoregulatory treatment that has completed Phase IIa studies in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP, a disorder causing low platelet levels) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, a disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue). The pipeline also includes technologies with potential applications in other autoimmune diseases and IgE-mediated allergic diseases.
 
“SuppreMol’s portfolio of novel investigational treatments complements and builds upon our leading and differentiated immunology portfolio, offering the opportunity to expand into new areas with significant market potential and unmet medical needs in autoimmune diseases,” said Ludwig Hantson, Ph.D., president of Baxter BioScience.
 
“Matching therapeutic innovation with market needs is challenging for biotech companies. Working with Baxter, a global immunology leader, is the ideal setting for SuppreMol’s promising therapeutic projects to deliver on our most ambitious goal to treat important autoimmune diseases and severe allergies,” said Klaus Schollmeier, Ph.D., chief executive officer of SuppreMol.