AbbVie is to acquire Nimble Therapeutics, a company specialised in the development of oral peptide therapies. Included in the acquisition is an investigational oral peptide, IL23R inhibitor, which is currently being developed for the treatment of psoriasis and Inflammatory bowel disease along with a pipeline of other candidates for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Abbvie will also gain the peptide synthesis platform which utilises Nimble’s exclusive technology to investigate and optimise a range of other peptide candidates and their targets. The agreement will see Nimble receive an initial $200 million from Abbvie, followed by interim funding payments. Potential milestone payments may also be paid to shareholders subject to subsequent achievements. Nimble Therapeutics is financed by founding investors Telegraph Hill Partners and Roche Ventures.