Navenibart: A Promising Frontier in HAE Treatment
At the heart of the acquisition lies Astria’s flagship therapy candidate, navenibart, an injectable antibody inhibitor designed to treat hereditary angioedema, a rare genetic disease marked by unpredictable and painful swelling attacks.
BioCryst, already established in the HAE market with its expertise and commercial infrastructure, sees navenibart as a next-generation breakthrough.
“Navenibart can emerge as the injectable of choice for patients seeking infrequent, pain-free dosing, strong attack control, and a trusted mechanism of action,” said Jon Stonehouse, CEO of BioCryst.
Upon completion, BioCryst will also acquire Astria’s early-stage program for atopic dermatitis, further broadening its immunology portfolio.
Leadership and Advisors Behind the Deal
Both companies’ boards have unanimously approved the transaction. Astria CEO Dr. Jill C. Milne will join BioCryst’s board of directors, bringing her scientific and leadership experience to the merged entity.
“We have great confidence in BioCryst’s proven expertise and ability to successfully bring navenibart to patients who need better options,” Milne said.
On the advisory front, Covington & Burling LLP is representing BioCryst, led by partners Jack Bodner and Andrew Ment, while Sidley Austin LLP is advising Astria through partners Rosemary Reilly, John Butler, and Sally Wagner Partin.
BofA Securities Inc. is serving as BioCryst’s exclusive financial adviser, with Evercore advising Astria. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, led by partner Stephen M. Kotran, is advising Evercore.
