Autoimmune-Summaries: Daily Autoimmune Updates at a Glance
- decodeMR Team
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
23/03/2026
Gilead Sciences to acquire Ouro Medicines to advance first in class T cell engager program for autoimmune diseases (Ref)
Gilead Sciences announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ouro Medicines, a company focused on developing T cell engager therapies for autoimmune diseases
The acquisition added a clinical stage bispecific, OM336 (gamgertamig; BCMAxCD3 T cell engager) with potential for Gilead’s inflammation portfolio
Under the agreement, Gilead agreed to acquire all outstanding equity of Ouro Medicines for a total of $1,675 million in upfront cash and up to $500 million in contingent milestone payments. Closing of the transaction was subject to expiration or termination of certain regulatory filings and other customary conditions
Gilead was in advanced discussions with Galapagos with respect to a potential research and development collaboration on the acquired Ouro Medicines assets
Apogee Therapeutics announced Phase 2 results of zumilokibart in Moderate-to-Severe AD (Ref)
Apogee Therapeutics announced positive topline 52-week maintenance data from Part A of the Phase 2, APEX study which evaluated zumilokibart (APG777; anti-IL-13 antibody) for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD)
APEX Part A data demonstrated durable maintenance of response at 52-weeks for every 3- and 6-months dosing, respectively, including:
- 75% and 85% of patients maintained EASI-75
- 86% and 78% of patients maintained vIGA 0/1
Deepening of response was observed across all lesional and itch endpoints with both every 3- and 6- month dosing among the full population of patients initially randomized to zumilokibart
Zumilokibart was well tolerated across both dosing regimens, with a safety profile generally in line with other agents in class
APEX Part B 16-week induction data readout was expected in 2Q 2026, supporting expected initiation of Phase 3 zumilokibart trials in moderate-to-severe AD starting in 2H 2026
Data were presented during a late-breaking oral presentation at 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting
Michael Henderson, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Apogee Said, “Our 52-week Part A data mark a significant milestone for zumilokibart, with the potential to transform the treatment paradigm as the first 6-month dosed therapeutic for patients with AD”. “Importantly, we observed continued deepening of efficacy across all endpoints for both 3- and 6-month dosing through 52 weeks in the full zumilokibart treated population, not just 16-week responders, while standard of care treatments typically plateau. These Part A results reinforce the potentially best-in-class profile of zumilokibart, which achieved greater than 99% inhibition of IL-13, the offending cytokine in AD, leading to rapid, early itch and lesion relief that deepened over time. We look forward to further evaluation of zumilokibart in our Phase 3 trials expected to initiate later this year which, subject to regulatory approval, we expect will support a potential commercial launch in 2029.”
Galapagos and Gilead in advanced discussions to collaborate on advancing first in class T cell engager program for autoimmune diseases (Ref)
Galapagos NV announced it was in advanced partnership discussions with Gilead Sciences following Gilead's definitive agreement to acquire Ouro Medicines and its lead asset, OM336 (gamgertamig) a clinical-stage BCMAxCD3 bispecific T cell engager for autoimmune diseases
The arrangements between Galapagos and Gilead were contemplated to include the following key terms:
Galapagos would pay 50% of the upfront consideration and 50% of any contingent milestone payments payable to Ouro Medicines’ shareholders
Galapagos would absorb substantially all of Ouro Medicine’s operating assets and retain all Ouro Medicine employees to develop the assets
Galapagos and Gilead would collaborate on the development of OM336 with Galapagos responsible for development costs through initiation of registrational studies; costs would be shared equally between the parties
Gilead would retain sole worldwide commercialization rights (other than in greater China where Keymed Biosciences has existing commercialization rights) and Gilead would pay Galapagos royalties of 20%-23% of net sales
The legacy Galapagos Option License and Collaboration Agreement (“OLCA”) was amended to allow up to $500 million of current cash to be used freely by Galapagos, including up to $150 million for potential share repurchases
