Cadherins are transmembrane proteins that play roles in cell-cell adhesion. WIKIMEDIA, MARIANA RUIZ In a deal worth up to $580 million, Roche is buying the Berkeley, California-based biotech Adheron Therapeutics, Reuters reported last week (October 9). Adheron is developing drugs to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases that target cadherin-11. Its lead candidate, SDP051, is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the protein. SDP051 completed a Phase 1 clinical trial last year.

“This deal brings together Adheron’s deep understanding of the underlying science of Cadherin-11 with Roche’s vast experience in researching and developing next generation medicines,” Hari Kumar, Adheron’s chief executive, said in a statement. “We are proud to move our promising investigational medicine to the next level and into a new home at Roche.”

According to FierceBiotech, “Adheron now has a partner with deep experience in autoimmune diseases, with the blockbuster arthritis treatment Rituxan to its name and...

Interested in reading more?

The Scientist ARCHIVES

Become a Member of

Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!