GSK to acquire efimosfermin, a phase III-ready potential best-in-class specialty medicine to treat and prevent progression of steatotic liver disease (SLD)

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Sophie Kornowski Pharm D, Chief Executive Officer, Boston Pharmaceuticals said: “Today marks a pivotal moment for Boston Pharmaceuticals and Efimosfermin alfa, as we begin a new chapter with GSK, a global organization with proven expertise in liver disease, and a shared commitment to patients. Our accomplishments were made possible thanks to the dedicated Boston Pharmaceuticals team, who focused on our mission to develop Efimosfermin with a great sense of urgency. I am especially grateful to Ernesto Bertarelli for his unflinching support and the commitment of his expertise over the last few years.”

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The addition of efimosfermin further strengthens GSK’s hepatology pipeline of specialty medicines aimed at addressing both viral (chronic hepatitis B) and steatotic (SLD) drivers of fibrotic liver diseases.

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Financial considerations

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Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will acquire BP Asset IX, Inc., a subsidiary of Boston Pharmaceuticals, to access efimosfermin. GSK will pay up to $2 billion of total cash consideration, comprising an upfront payment of $1.2 billion and up to $800 million in success-based milestone payments. GSK will also be responsible for success-based milestone payments as well as tiered royalties for efimosfermin owed to Novartis Pharma AG.

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GSK will account for the transaction as a business combination. This transaction is subject to customary conditions, including applicable regulatory agency clearances under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act in the US.

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For GSK, Evercore Partners International LLP is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP as legal counsel.

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For Boston Pharmaceuticals, Centerview Partners LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as legal counsel.

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About efimosfermin alfa

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Efimosfermin is an investigational, once-monthly subcutaneous injection of a long-acting variant of FGF21 that is designed to regulate key metabolic pathways to decrease liver fat, ameliorate liver inflammation, and reverse liver fibrosis in patients with MASH. Efimosfermin is currently in trials for moderate to advanced fibrosis, including cirrhosis and is not available for prescription anywhere in the world.

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About Boston Pharmaceuticals

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Boston Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that leverages an experienced and committed drug development team to advance a portfolio of highly differentiated therapies that may address important unmet medical needs in serious liver diseases. Boston Pharmaceuticals is a portfolio company of B-Flexion, a private, entrepreneurial investment firm which manages the combined funds and investments associated with the Bertarelli family and also partners with sophisticated capital to meet the shared goal of delivering exceptional value over the generations, while also contributing positively to society.

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About GSK

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GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.

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Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

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GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section in GSK’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2024, and GSK’s Q1 Results for 2025.

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Registered in England & Wales:
No. 3888792

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Registered Office:
79 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1DG

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References
1 Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 Cirrhosis collaborators. 2020
2 Allen et al. Postgraduate Medicine. 2024, Vol 136, No. 3, 229–245.
3 Younossi et al. Hepatol Commun. 2023 Dec 22;8(1):e0352
4 Wallace, Carolyn et al. Journal of Hepatology, Volume 0, Issue 0
5 Hepatology (2004) Late-Breaking Abstract Supplement p28-30 TLM2024LBA_20241115A.pdf

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Contacts

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GSK enquiries

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Boston Pharma enquiries

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