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BMS Completes $14B Acquisition of Karuna Therapeutics

Adds KarXT, a potential first-in-class treatment for schizophrenia with potential across multiple indications.

By: Kristin Brooks

Managing Editor, Contract Pharma

Bristol Myers Squibb completed its acquisition of Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. for approximately $14 billion. Karuna is now a wholly owned subsidiary of BMS. 
 
Through this transaction, BMS has added KarXT (xanomeline-trospium), an antipsychotic with a novel mechanism of action and a differentiated efficacy and safety profile, and Karuna’s early-stage and pre-clinical pipeline. KarXT has a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of September 26, 2024 for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. KarXT is also in registrational trials both for adjunctive therapy to existing standard of care agents in schizophrenia and for the treatment of psychosis in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, with potential to expand to additional indications, including Bipolar I disorder and Alzheimer’s disease agitation.
 
“We are excited to expand our neuroscience portfolio as we welcome Karuna to Bristol Myers Squibb,” said Chris Boerner, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Importantly, this transaction aligns with our commitment to strengthening BMS’s growth profile in the latter half of the decade and beyond. We look forward to working with Karuna’s talented team to bring KarXT to patients with schizophrenia later this year.”

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