Incyte Completes Strategic Move Into Vitiligo Treatment With $70M Acquisition of Villaris Therapeutics and Auremolimab

Incyte has finalized an agreement to acquire Villaris Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical firm established by Medicxi with a singular focus on developing groundbreaking antibody-based treatments for vitiligo. The headline acquisition price stands at $70 million in upfront payments, alongside the potential for up to $310 million tied to development and regulatory achievements, plus an additional $1.05 billion contingent on commercial sales performance.

The Asset at Center Stage

The cornerstone of this deal is auremolimab (VM6), an ultra-humanized anti-IL-15Rβ monoclonal antibody engineered to selectively target and eliminate autoreactive resident memory T cells that drive vitiligo pathology. Pre-clinical evidence underscores the compound’s potency and selectivity, establishing a strong foundation for its transition into human studies. Villaris Therapeutics’ scientists have completed IND-enabling research, positioning the candidate for clinical trial initiation expected during 2023.

Strategic Rationale and Portfolio Expansion

For Incyte, this represents a deliberate expansion of its dermatology-focused immunology platform. The company has already demonstrated capabilities in this space through the successful rollout of Opzelura™ (ruxolitinib) cream, leveraging its deep JAK-STAT pathway expertise. By integrating auremolimab into its pipeline, Incyte gains access to a mechanistically distinct therapeutic approach targeting unmet needs in immune-mediated skin disorders. Leadership signals that auremolimab’s scope may extend beyond vitiligo toward treating other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

Stakeholder Perspectives

John E. Harris, M.D., Ph.D., the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School’s Dermatology chair and Villaris founder, highlighted the significance of the transition: developing a targeted solution for vitiligo patients who currently face limited options now benefits from Incyte’s development infrastructure and market access capabilities. The 2019 partnership between Harris and Medicxi established Villaris as an asset-centric venture laser-focused on this single therapeutic objective.

Nick Williams, representing Medicxi, emphasized the firm’s commitment to backing world-class innovators tackling significant medical gaps. He views Incyte as the ideal partner to maximize auremolimab’s potential across multiple disease indications and patient populations.

Hervé Hoppenot, Incyte’s Chief Executive Officer, framed the acquisition as a natural fit within the company’s existing Dermatology strategy, positioning auremolimab as a novel therapeutic tool addressing substantial unmet needs in immune-driven skin pathology.

Deal Structure and Timeline

The transaction remains contingent on clearance from U.S. antitrust authorities under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, with expected closure upon receiving regulatory approval. PJT Partners served as financial advisor to Villaris Therapeutics throughout the negotiation process.

About Incyte’s Dermatology Focus

Incyte’s approach centers on translating immunological expertise into practical treatments. Beyond vitiligo, the company is investigating JAK inhibition for additional immune-mediated dermatologic conditions presenting high unmet medical need, including hidradenitis suppurativa. This portfolio strategy reflects Incyte’s science-first orientation and commitment to modulating immune pathways underlying chronic inflammatory skin conditions.