Press release
Incyte Announces Acquisition of Escient Pharmaceuticals and its Pipeline of First-in-Class Oral MRGPR Antagonists
EP262, a first-in-class oral Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) antagonist with the potential to treat a broad range of inflammatory
About this update from Incyte Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\nEP262, a first-in-class oral Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) antagonist with the potential to treat a broad range of inflammatory disorders, has demonstrated proof-of-mechanism in chronic inducible urticaria and is in a Phase 2 study for chronic spontaneous urticaria\n\n\n\nEP547 is a first-in-class oral MRGPRX4 antagonist with the potential to treat cholestatic pruritus and other conditions with severe pruritus\n\n\n\nAcquisition supports Incyte’s portfolio strategy and complements its expanding R&D activities in Inflammation and Autoimmunity (IAI)\n\n\n\nIncyte analyst and investor call scheduled for April 23, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET\n\n\n\n WILMINGTON, Del. & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nIncyte (Nasdaq:INCY) and Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for systemic immune and neuro-immune disorders, have entered into a definitive agreement under which Incyte has agreed to acquire Escient, including EP262, a first-in-class, potent, highly selective, once-daily small molecule antagonist of Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) and EP547, a first-in-class oral MRGPRX4 antagonist.\n\nThis press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240423725958/en/\n“As a company dedicated to innovation and the discovery of transformative medicines, we are excited to add EP262 and EP547 to our portfolio. This acquisition builds on our strategy to develop differentiated and first-in-class medicines with high potential,” said Hervé Hoppenot, Chief Executive Officer, Incyte. “EP262 and EP547 are complementary additions to our portfolio, providing an opportunity to leverage our expertise, address the needs of patients with inflammatory diseases and additional potential launch opportunities starting in 2029.”\n\n\nBy blocking MRGPRX2 and degranulation of mast cells, EP262 has the potential to effectively treat multiple mast cell-mediated diseases including atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Preclinical studies presented at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting in March 2023 showed that EP262 improved AD-like skin lesions and markers of type 2 inflammation. Additionally, in a Phase 1 study of 64 he...