AbbVie's $200M Acquisition of Roche Spinout Nimble Therapeutics Expands Autoimmune Drug Portfolio

AbbVie has proceeded with its acquisition of Nimble Therapeutics, a Roche spinout, for a total of $200 million, a strategic move aimed at bolstering its portfolio in the autoimmune treatment sector[1]. With this acquisition, AbbVie secures access to Nimble's advanced peptide synthesis platform, which is pivotal for optimizing oral peptide therapeutics tailored for autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease[2]. Nimble's key asset includes a preclinical candidate that targets IL-23, akin to AbbVie's injectable Skyrizi, suggesting potential for an alternative oral formulation[2]. This acquisition aligns with AbbVie's recent pattern of targeted expansions, as evidenced by its prior acquisitions within the year[1].