Gilead to acquire Nimbus Apollo

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Gilead Sciences announced Monday that it would be acquiring Nimbus Apollo, a subsidiary of Nimbus Therapeutics, and its program working on developing an Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC) inhibitor. 

 

The program includes a lead candidate for an ACC inhibitor to treat the liver disease non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which affects up to 15 million people in the U.S., and as a potential treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. The Food and Drug Administration has given the candidate Fast Track designation and Phase 1 data is set to be presented in May at the International Liver Congress 2016. 

 

“The acquisition of Nimbus’ ACC-inhibitor program represents a timely and important opportunity to accelerate Gilead’s ongoing efforts to address unmet needs in NASH,” Gilead EVP research and development and chief scientific officer Norbert Bischofberger said. “These molecules will complement and further strengthen Gilead’s pipeline and capabilities to advance a broad clinical program in NASH that includes compounds targeting multiple key pathways involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.”

 

When the acquisition is complete, Nimbus Apollo will be owned by Gilead and Nimbus Therapeutics will retain ownership of its other research and development subsidiaries.