Boehringer Ingelheim Buys Nerio Therapeutics for USD 1.3 Billion

Boehringer Ingelheim, a biopharmaceutical company involved in human and animal health, revealed the addition of a new preclinical program through the purchase of Nerio Therapeutics Inc. for a maximum of USD 1.3 billion. Boehringer Ingelheim hopes to establish this program as a crucial part of its immuno-oncology portfolio to enhance cancer patient outcomes.

Nerio's tiny compounds block the immune checkpoint proteins PTPN1 and PTPN2, known as protein tyrosine phosphatases N1 and N2. By blocking PTPN1/2, the immune system can be spurred to combat cancer cells.

The cancer treatment field has been revolutionized by the use of current checkpoint inhibitors for immune checkpoint blockade. Nevertheless, although this method may be effective for certain individuals, it may not offer healing advantages for everyone. Boehringer Ingelheim is dedicated to shifting this paradigm and expanding the advantages of immuno-oncology to a larger number of cancer patients through a wide range of therapies utilizing immune checkpoint blockade to enhance the immune system and target cancer cells. Nerio's small molecule inhibitors have the potential to be a valuable addition to Boehringer Ingelheim's portfolio by functioning both as a standalone therapy and in combination with other cancer treatments currently in development at the pharmaceutical firm.

“Securing the rights to Nerio Therapeutics' novel checkpoint inhibitors creates a broad panel of exciting new cancer treatment combination opportunities. This brings us a major step closer to our vision of transforming the lives of people living with cancer,” said Paola Casarosa, member of the board of managing directors at Boehringer Ingelheim with responsibility for the Innovation Unit.