Avila specializes in targeted covalent drugs, and in addition to sharing cancer as a therapeutic area of focus with Celgene, Avila also focuses on viral infection and autoimmune diseases. The company’s pipeline is based on its proprietary Avilomics platform. Targeted covalent drugs are small-molecule medicines that can silence disease-causing proteins. The drugs form durable bonds with the targeted proteins, shutting down activity throughout the life of the protein. As a result, targeted covalent drugs offer selectivity and efficacy against mutations, and also represent the possibility of a decrease in side effects. On its website, Avila notes that there are currently more than 38 covalent drugs that have gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in the fields of oncology, inflammatory, central nervous system, anti-infectives and vascular and gastrointestinal disorders.  

 

AVL-292, a highly selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitor and Avila’s lead candidate, is currently in Phase I clinical testing as a treatment for lymphoma and autoimmune diseases. Btk plays a significant role in the development and activation of B cells, and inhibition of Btk represents a promising approach for treating B-cell driven diseases, including hematologic cancers such as B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The drug candidate bonds to Btk to silence its activity, and preclinical studies proved AVL-292 to be effective in animal disease models. In addition, Avila has also developed a companion covalent probe technology that is capable of determining how much of the target protein was bonded by the drug.  

 

The acquisition is a good fit for Celgene in terms of focus compatibility. As Celgene already has experience in the field of hematologic cancers, including seven hematology compounds in various stages of clinical development in its pipeline, the acquisition of Avila supplements its foothold within that therapeutic area. In addition, Avila’s approach expands upon Celgene’s own current drug discovery methods, as Celgene works on therapies that operate through gene and protein regulation.  

 

“Celgene and Avila are uniquely matched, both strategically and scientifically,” Katrine Bosley, Avila’s CEO, said in a press release. “Celgene’s global leadership in hematology and emerging franchise in immune-inflammatory diseases will accelerate and expand the clinical development of our Btk inhibitor program. Equally important, we value the high standards of creativity and rigor of Celgene’s scientists. We believe working together may accelerate the advancement of more innovative medicines from the Avilomics platform.”  

 

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust act. Celgene expects that the acquisition will be neutral to 2012 non-GAAP diluted earnings guidance.