Japanese chemicals major Asahi Kasei has completed its acquisition of German biopharma company Aicuris Anti-infective Cures AG.
The deal the group says marks a decisive push deeper into severe infectious diseases and the build-out of a global specialty pharmaceuticals platform.
“The completion of the Aicuris acquisition reflects the deliberate execution of our pharmaceutical strategy and strengthens our position in infectious diseases, a core area where we see sustained demand, high unmet need, and long-term growth,” stated Ken Shinomiya, Head of Asahi Kasei’s Healthcare Sector.
“Aicuris adds a differentiated portfolio and scientific capabilities that enhance the quality of our pipeline, while also providing a near-term commercial opportunity. By integrating Aicuris into our global development and commercialization platform, we are further scaling our specialty pharmaceutical business.”
The acquisition brings three antiviral assets spanning marketed products and clinical-stage candidates. At the core is Prevymis, which delivers an ongoing royalty stream, alongside milestone payments, and is projected to generate $100–200 million annually depending on sales performance.
A second key asset, pritelivir, has already secured FDA Priority Review for its New Drug Application, with a PDUFA target date set for Q4 2026. The drug targets an estimated 15,000 immunocompromised patients in the US, with peak sales projected to exceed $400 million in the mid-to-late 2030s.
The pipeline is rounded out by AIC468, currently in Phase I trials, being developed for BK virus infections in kidney and stem cell transplant patients—an area described as having a potential market exceeding $1 billion.
Collectively, Asahi Kasei expects the portfolio to deliver a balanced mix of royalty income, near-term commercialization, and long-term pipeline growth. Aicuris-related revenue is projected to reach $500 million by 2030, excluding AIC468.
The company will advance the assets through its US transplant-focused subsidiary Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., leveraging its existing expertise and commercial infrastructure.
“We see strong strategic alignment between Veloxis and Aicuris under the Asahi Kasei pharmaceutical strategy,” said Stacy Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer of Veloxis.
“Aicuris’s infectious disease experience, together with Veloxis’s established transplant-focused research and commercialization capabilities, provides a solid foundation to support development efforts that address areas of unmet need among immunocompromised patients.”
