Pharmaceutical Healthcare Deals & Acquisitions - 2026 | iPharmaCenter

Cipla Secures Rights to HER2 Bispecific Cancer Drug from Chinese Partner

Cipla has entered into an exclusive licensing and supply agreement with Sino Biopharmaceutical’s subsidiary, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group, for a promising cancer treatment known as Rolditamig Deuderuxtecan, also called TQB2102.

The deal grants Cipla exclusive rights to develop and sell this HER2-targeted therapy across India, South Africa, and five additional emerging markets.

A Dual-Target Approach to Fighting Cancer

TQB2102 belongs to a newer category of cancer medicines known as bispecific antibody-drug conjugates. Unlike conventional antibody-drug therapies that target a single protein, this treatment is engineered to bind to two different sites on the HER2 protein simultaneously.

HER2 is a protein found on the surface of certain cancer cells that can drive tumor growth when present at elevated levels. The therapy is being studied across multiple cancer types where HER2 plays a role, and it has shown encouraging early results specifically in HER2-low advanced breast cancer, a subgroup of patients who often have fewer targeted treatment options.

In China, the treatment has already received three Breakthrough Therapy Designations, covering HER2-low and HER2-positive breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and biliary tract cancer, reflecting strong early interest from regulators.

How the Partnership Will Work

Under the terms of the agreement, Cipla will take charge of local clinical trials, regulatory submissions, and commercial launch activities across its licensed markets.

Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group will continue to manufacture the drug and supply it to Cipla for distribution in these regions.

Financial Terms of the Agreement

As part of the deal, Sino Biopharmaceutical is set to receive upfront payments along with potential development, regulatory, and sales-based milestone payments totaling up to $123 million.

The agreement also includes double-digit royalty payments based on future annual net sales of TQB2102 once the product reaches commercial markets.

Eli Lilly to Acquire Merida Biosciences in Autoimmune Disease Push

Eli Lilly has agreed to acquire Merida Biosciences, a privately held biotechnology company developing precision therapies for serious autoimmune and allergic conditions, in a deal worth up to $2.8 billion.

The agreement includes an upfront cash payment along with additional payments tied to future development milestones. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and other standard closing conditions.

A Different Approach to Autoimmune Disease

Merida’s core technology is built around removing the specific antibodies that drive certain autoimmune and allergic diseases, rather than broadly suppressing the immune system as many current treatments do.

Many autoimmune conditions are caused by antibodies that mistakenly attack healthy tissue. Merida’s platform is designed to selectively identify and eliminate these harmful antibodies while leaving the rest of the immune system intact. The company says this precision approach could address the root biological cause of disease rather than simply managing symptoms.

Lead Program Targets Thyroid Disease

Merida’s most advanced candidate, known as MER511, is currently in Phase 1 development for two related conditions, Graves’ disease and thyroid eye disease.

Both conditions are driven by antibodies that abnormally activate the receptor responsible for controlling thyroid hormone production. This overactivation can accelerate metabolism and, in many cases, lead to additional complications affecting the eyes.

Graves’ disease affects roughly 3 million people in the United States and is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular problems and mortality. Between 25% and 40% of people with Graves’ disease go on to develop thyroid eye disease, a condition that can cause pain, visible changes to the eyes, and in severe cases, permanent vision loss.

The ongoing Phase 1 trial is enrolling around 100 adult participants with Graves’ disease and is designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, and how the body processes the treatment. Primary results are expected around mid-2028.

Broader Potential Beyond the Lead Program

Because harmful antibodies play a role in many different diseases, Merida’s underlying technology may extend well beyond thyroid-related conditions.

The company’s pipeline also includes MER769, an earlier-stage program targeting the antibody responsible for triggering allergic reactions. This candidate is being explored for potential use in food allergy, asthma, and chronic spontaneous urticaria, a form of long-lasting hives.

Strategic Fit for Lilly’s Immunology Pipeline

For Eli Lilly, the acquisition adds a new scientific approach to its growing immunology portfolio. Company leaders said the deal reflects an effort to move beyond broad immune suppression and toward therapies that more precisely target the mechanisms driving specific diseases.

LEO Pharma Acquires Dersimelagon Rights in Rare Dermatology Deal

LEO Pharma has agreed to acquire worldwide rights to dersimelagon from Tanabe Pharma in a transaction that could be worth up to $435 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments.

The deal adds a late-stage oral medicine to LEO Pharma’s rare dermatology pipeline and strengthens the company’s focus on genetic skin diseases with limited treatment options. Tanabe Pharma will also be eligible for potential future milestone payments and tiered royalties based on net sales.

Candidate Targets Two Rare Disorders

Dersimelagon is an investigational, once-daily oral melanocortin 1 receptor agonist being developed for erythropoietic protoporphyria and X-linked protoporphyria.

Both conditions are lifelong genetic disorders that can cause intense pain after exposure to sunlight. Patients may also experience skin redness, swelling, rashes, burning sensations, and other phototoxic reactions. In some cases, the diseases can affect the liver.

The medicine is designed to increase melanin levels in the skin. By increasing pigmentation, dersimelagon may reduce the amount of sunlight reaching sensitive tissues and help limit sunlight-triggered reactions.

FDA Review Is Underway

Tanabe Pharma submitted a New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration on June 30, 2026. Dersimelagon has received both Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations from the FDA.

The candidate has not yet been approved by the FDA or any other regulatory authority. Its safety and effectiveness therefore remain under regulatory review.

If cleared, dersimelagon could become the first oral treatment specifically approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria and X-linked protoporphyria, potentially addressing a significant gap in rare disease care.

Phase 3 Study Supports Development

The acquisition follows positive results from the global Phase 3 INSPIRE study. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated dersimelagon in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria and X-linked protoporphyria.

Tanabe Pharma reported statistically significant and clinically meaningful results across the study’s primary and secondary measures. One important finding was a longer average period of sunlight exposure before patients developed early warning symptoms.

The Phase 3 findings were presented during a late-breaking session at the 2026 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Adds to LEO Pharma’s External Innovation Strategy

LEO Pharma has been expanding its medical dermatology pipeline through acquisitions, licensing arrangements, and research partnerships.

The dersimelagon agreement follows the company’s acquisition of Replay’s next-generation herpes simplex virus gene therapy platform and its partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim involving spesolimab.

Together, these transactions indicate a broader strategy focused on rare and serious skin diseases where patients have limited treatment choices. LEO Pharma identified the United States and Japan as important markets for advancing innovative dermatology products.

Commercial and Regulatory Outlook

The acquisition gives LEO Pharma access to a Phase 3 completed asset with an active US regulatory application. The company’s potential launch timeline will depend on the FDA’s review and the outcome of any additional regulatory requirements.

Dersimelagon’s oral, once-daily dosing could offer a practical advantage for patients who currently have limited options for preventing sunlight-related symptoms. However, the medicine’s final clinical value, safety profile, and commercial prospects will depend on regulatory decisions and post-approval evidence.

The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2026.