Ipsen to acquire Memo Therapeutics AG, adding first-in-class BK polyomavirus antibody, expanding rare disease portfolio

Article content

Article content

PARIS, FRANCE AND SCHLIEREN/ZURICH, SWITZERLAND,
01 JULY 2026 – Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) and Memo Therapeutics AG announced today they have entered into a definitive share purchase agreement under which Ipsen has agreed to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Memo Therapeutics AG. The anticipated acquisition is focused on potravitug, which is a Phase II clinical-stage antibody against the BK polyomavirus (BKPyV). BK polyomavirus associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) is a serious and frequent clinical complication in renal transplanted patients that can lead to graft loss and transplant failure. Potravitug was granted fast-track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2023 and orphan drug designation in the European Union in December 2025.

Article content

Article content

Article content

“This acquisition reinforces our commitment to delivering transformative solutions for patients with significant unmet needs,” said Christelle Huguet, PhD, EVP, Head of R&D, Ipsen. “With potravitug, we have the opportunity to add a promising first-in-class asset to our rare disease pipeline and address the significant clinical consequences of BK virus–associated nephropathy in kidney transplant recipients, where current standards of care can compromise transplant success and graft outcomes.”

Article content

Article content

Potravitug is a monoclonal antibody directed against the BK virus VP1 capsid protein. It acts by blocking viral attachment and cellular entry, thereby preventing infection of host cells and subsequent viral replication. The Phase II SAFE Kidney II trialⁱ is the largest placebo-controlled clinical trial for the treatment of BKPyVAN in kidney transplanted patients with 95 patients across 22 sites in the U.S. Topline results demonstrated efficacy with potravitug, including higher rates of ≥1-log₁₀ viral load reduction or undetectable levels compared to placebo at week 20 alongside histological improvement in BKPyVAN. The totality of data showed strong clinical value with potravitug demonstrating a sustained and significant antiviral effect and reduced the incidence of BKPyVAN. 24.4% of treated patients achieved undetectable BKPyV-DNAemia by week 38 versus 13.0% in the placebo group, with >2-log₁₀ viral load reductions occurring in 40.3% versus 24.7% of patients, respectively. By week 20, biopsy-proven BKPyVAN had declined from 51.2% to 31.6% in the potravitug group, with no change observed in the placebo group. Potravitug was well tolerated, with no treatment-related serious adverse events reported. Following the update at the European Renal Association Congress last month, the full SAFE KIDNEY II dataset presented at ATC 2026 further strengthen the clinical rationale for potravitug ahead of the planned SAFE KIDNEY III trial initiation later this year.

Article content

Article content

Erik van den Berg, CEO of Memo Therapeutics AG commented, “Today marks a pivotal moment in the Memo Therapeutics AG journey and validates years of scientific innovation. We are thrilled to have attracted Ipsen to take this important medicine forward. With its deep expertise in developing and commercializing medicines for rare diseases, Ipsen can ensure that this breakthrough asset reaches its full potential to deliver a life changing difference for thousands of kidney transplant patients with BKPyV infection.”

Article content

“BK polyomavirus associated nephropathy is a significant clinical challenge in kidney transplant recipients,” said Darshana Dadhania, MD, MS, FAST, medical director of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program, assistant director of the Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility Lab and an associate professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. “With no approved targeted treatment, clinicians are forced to reduce immunosuppressive therapy which increases the risk of graft rejection and graft loss. Given the frequency and serious consequences of BK virus reactivation, there remains an urgent need for effective therapy that avoids this trade-off.”