Pfizer to Acquire ReViral in Deal Valued at $525M

Pfizer and Novo Holdings entered into a definitive agreement for Pfizer to acquire Novo’s portfolio company, ReViral, in a deal valued at as much as $525 million.
 
Founded in 2011, ReViral is a London, UK and Research Triangle Park, NC based privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel antiviral therapeutics that target respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 
 
RSV is a respiratory pathogen, which can lead to severe and life-threatening lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in high-risk populations, including young infants, immunocompromised individuals, and older adults. It’s estimated to cause infections in approximately 64 million people, resulting in about 160,000 deaths, globally each year.
 
ReViral has a portfolio of promising therapeutic candidates targeting RSV. Its lead drug, sisunatovir, is an orally administered inhibitor designed to block the fusion of RSV to the host cell, which has been granted Fast-Track designation by the U.S. FDA. Sisunatovir significantly reduced viral load in a phase 2 RSV human challenge study in healthy adults and is currently in phase 2 clinical development in infants. A second program, currently in phase 1 development, is focused on the inhibition of RSV replication targeting the viral N-protein.
 
Alex C. Sapir, Chief Executive Officer, ReViral, said, “Since the foundation of the Company a decade ago by Dr. Ken Powell and Dr. Stuart Cockerill, ReViral’s mission has always been to develop world-class therapies for RSV patients. This acquisition represents a validation of the deep antiviral experience of the ReViral team and our unwavering commitment to delivering therapies for patients in need. Pfizer is an optimal partner given its commitment to RSV through the ongoing RSV vaccine programme coupled with world-class clinical, regulatory, manufacturing, and commercial capabilities. We are grateful to Novo Holdings and our other investors for their support and guidance as we worked to bring these therapies to patients as quickly as possible.”
 
The proposed transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.