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USA Herald — British pharmaceutical giant GSK is making a bold $2.2 billion bet on the future of allergy and immunology treatment, announcing an agreement to acquire U.S.-based Rapt Therapeutics in a move that signals intensified competition among drugmakers for next-generation immune therapies.

Under the deal, GSK will pay $58 per share in cash for Rapt Therapeutics, a California biotechnology company developing treatments for inflammatory and immune-driven diseases. After accounting for Rapt’s existing cash reserves, GSK’s upfront investment is expected to total approximately $1.9 billion.

The acquisition centers on ozureprubart, an experimental therapy designed to prevent severe allergic reactions. Unlike existing treatments that often require frequent dosing, ozureprubart is being developed as a long-acting option that could offer protection with injections given just once every 12 weeks. If successful, the drug could significantly change how food allergies are managed, especially for patients at high risk of life-threatening reactions.

GSK said ozureprubart is currently in mid-stage clinical trials, with additional data expected in 2027. Future testing will expand to include both adults and children, potentially positioning the drug as a cornerstone treatment in a market where long-term options remain limited.

Industry analysts see the deal as part of a broader strategy by GSK to reinforce its pipeline in respiratory, immunology, and inflammation medicines at a time when major drugmakers are racing to secure late-stage assets rather than rely solely on in-house development.

“Large pharmaceutical companies are increasingly willing to pay a premium for assets that address validated biological targets and unmet medical needs,” said one biotech market analyst. “This deal fits squarely within that trend.”

If completed, the acquisition will give GSK global rights to ozureprubart, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The company will also assume responsibility for milestone and royalty payments tied to an existing collaboration Rapt has with a Chinese pharmaceutical partner.

The transaction is expected to close within the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder participation. Once finalized, any remaining shares not tendered will be acquired at the same price through a subsequent merger.

The move follows GSK’s recent push to expand its immunology and oncology portfolio, including previously announced multibillion-dollar development partnerships in Asia. Together, these deals underscore how aggressively global drugmakers are positioning themselves for the next wave of immune-based therapies.

As competition intensifies and development costs rise, acquisitions like this highlight a clear shift in Big Pharma’s strategy: secure promising treatments early, reduce pipeline risk, and dominate emerging therapeutic markets before rivals do.