NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blackstone (NYSE:BX) today announced the launch of the Blackstone Life Sciences (“Blackstone”) portfolio company Uniquity Bio, a clinical-stage drug development company focused on immunology and inflammation. Uniquity Bio is emerging from stealth with an FDA acceptance of its Phase 2 investigational new drug (“IND”) application for solrikitug, a monoclonal antibody targeting TSLP, and up to $300 million in capital from Blackstone to advance the asset in multiple indications.
The company aims to deliver best-in-class efficacy with solrikitug across several critical respiratory and GI indications with significant unmet needs. In the next month, Uniquity Bio will launch Phase 2 clinical trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”) — the third leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization — and asthma, which the WHO estimates affects more than 260 million people across the globe.
“Our investment in Uniquity Bio illustrates Blackstone Life Sciences’ commitment to finding, developing and delivering potentially transformative medicines to patients around the world,” said Nicholas Galakatos, Ph.D., Global Head of Blackstone Life Sciences. “We are proud to partner with Uniquity’s team of veteran industry leaders as they advance solrikitug and expand their immunology and inflammation pipeline with additional programs in the near future.”
Solrikitug is a highly potent anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody, which prevents the binding of TSLP to its receptors. Given TSLP’s position as the “master switch” cytokine sitting at the top of the inflammatory cascade, solrikitug could have potential utility in a wide array of immunology and inflammation programs. Solrikitug was in-licensed from Merck & Co., Inc. (known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada).
“We believe solrikitug has the potential to be a life-changing medication for a significant number of patients who currently have very limited treatment options, and we are excited to move into the next phase of development,” said Brian Lortie, CEO of Uniquity Bio. “Our approach to development pairs the scientific rigor and quality standards of a global pharma company with the operational agility of a biotech startup, which allows us to move quickly without cutting corners. As we advance solrikitug and build our immunology and inflammation pipeline, we’re proud to have the ongoing support from Blackstone Life Sciences, which extends beyond capital investment to include their renowned corporate and scientific expertise.”
Kiran Reddy, MD, Senior Managing Director with Blackstone Life Sciences, added, “Uniquity Bio’s launch with a Phase 2-ready therapeutic demonstrates our approach of providing expertise and scale capital to our portfolio companies to help them advance their mission — and medicines — as fast as possible. We’re excited about the work that Uniquity has done so far with solrikitug and look forward to providing long-term financial support to the company.”
Uniquity Bio was founded by industry executives with an extensive track record of developing new therapeutics in immunology and inflammation, and successfully advancing many clinical programs from development through commercialization. With Blackstone Life Sciences supporting the company’s capital requirements, Uniquity Bio has a unique and sustainable business model that supports the parallel development of high-potential medicines along with a range of collaboration structures for maximum value.
The need — and market interest — in the field of immunology and inflammation are extensive and growing, as the global immunology market is projected to skyrocket from $98 billion in 2023 to $257 billion in 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights.
“As a nimble startup with a proven leadership team, we believe Uniquity Bio is well-positioned to develop promising therapeutics in this field and partner with leading global pharmaceutical companies,” said Stephen Tullman, Executive Chairman of Uniquity Bio. “I’m confident that our work will deliver new and highly valuable medicines to people living with immune-mediated diseases.”
ABOUT BLACKSTONE LIFE SCIENCES
Blackstone Life Sciences is an industry-leading private investment platform with capabilities to invest across the life cycle of companies and products within key life science sectors. By combining scale investments and hands-on operational leadership, Blackstone Life Sciences helps bring to market promising new medicines and medical technologies that improve patients’ lives and currently has more than $9 billion in assets under management.
ABOUT UNIQUITY BIO
Uniquity Bio is a clinical-stage drug development company built by biopharmaceutical executives with a proven track record and backed by Blackstone Life Sciences. The company is specifically structured to identify and advance therapeutic programs in immunology and inflammation with the scientific rigor and quality standards of a global pharma company, the operational agility of a biotech startup and a laser focus on improving patients’ lives. With a unique and sustainable business model, Uniquity Bio is actively building an immunology and inflammation pipeline. Its first lead asset is solrikitug, a monoclonal antibody targeting TSLP. The company anticipates delivering best-in-class efficacy in multiple respiratory and gastrointestinal indications with significant unmet needs. For more information, please visit www.uniquity.com.
