GlaxoSmithKline and Merck, both with significant operations in Montgomery County, have started this year with billions of dollars in mergers and acquisitions, writes John George for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

GSK has entered into an agreement to acquire Aiolos Bio for $1 billion upfront and an additional regulatory milestone-related $400 million.

Aiolos Bio, which is based in San Francisco, is a biotech company dedicated to developing treatments targeting respiratory diseases and inflammatory conditions. Its new lead drug candidate, AIO-001, is in mid-stage testing as a treatment for adults with asthma. The treatment is also being tested for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

“Adding AIO-001, a potentially best-in-class medicine targeting the TSLP pathway, could expand the reach of our current respiratory biologics portfolio, including to the 40 percent of severe asthma patients with low T2 inflammation where treatment options are still needed,” said Tony Wood, chief scientific officer at GSK.

The acquisition comes after Merck already said earlier in the week that it is acquiring Harpoon Therapeutics, a San Francisco-based immunotherapy company in a deal valued at $680 million. If the deal is approved, it will expand Merck’s cancer therapies pipeline.

Read more about the GlaxoSmithKline and Merck’s 2024 deals in the Philadelphia Business Journal.

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