In a bid to solidify its footing in dermatology, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced that it will purchase the immune-mediated disease-focused biotech Proteologix in a $850m cash buyout, with the potential for additional milestone payments.

The host of bispecific antibodies brought by Proteologix to the deal will add depth to J&J’s immunology pipeline, and more specifically, bolster its position to address atopic dermatitis (AD).

Among Proteologix’s assets is PX128, a bispecific antibody designed to target interleukin (IL)-13, as well as the cytokine TSLP, which is being developed for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe AD and moderate to severe asthma.

The acquisition also covers the preclinical stage candidate, PX130, a bispecific antibody designed to target both IL-13 and IL-22 to inhibit inflammation, restore the skin barrier, and prevent environmental trigger-mediated inflammation of the skin. The asset is under development for the treatment of moderate to severe AD.

As per J&J Innovative Medicine global immunology therapeutic area head David Lee, existing therapies for AD are limited by efficacy and single pathway activity.

“We see an opportunity for best-in-disease efficacy for both PX128 and PX130 as each bispecific antibody targets two different combinations of disease-driving pathways that are mediating the skin inflammation in heterogeneous subpopulations of AD patients,” he said in the 16 May press announcement.

As per the press release, the acquisition will also give J&J access to other unnamed bispecific antibody programmes that will strengthen the company’s activity in the space.

The pharma giant has made several big purchases in recent months. In March, J&J concluded a $2bn acquisition of clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Ambrx Biopharma and following heavy speculation, J&J confirmed that it would acquire US-based cardiovascular device developer Shockwave Medical in a $13.1bn transaction.

J&J started 2024 from a position of strength with a 28% rise in Q4 2023 net earnings and has made several regulatory strides as well. In April, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) as a second-line therapy for patients with multiple myeloma. The therapy was jointly developed by J&J and Legend Biotech.

J&J was also awarded FDA fast track designation for nipocalimab to reduce the risk of foetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia in alloimmunised pregnant adults in March.

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