Servier, the independent international pharmaceutical group governed by a foundation, has struck an agreement to acquire the muscular dystrophy business of Edgewise Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $2.65 billion.
The transaction includes an upfront payment of $1.55 billion, along with up to $1.1 billion in regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Both companies’ governance bodies have approved the agreement. The deal remains subject to regulatory clearance and customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
The acquisition brings over Edgewise Therapeutics’ muscular dystrophy portfolio and capabilities, including its lead candidate sevasemten, an investigational, orally administered first-in-class fast skeletal myosin inhibitor designed to protect and preserve unstable muscle from contraction-induced damage in patients with rare muscular dystrophies.
Sevasemten is currently being evaluated in a pivotal cohort for Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) and in Phase 2 trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). If successful, the program could position Servier as a significant global player in neuromuscular disorders.
Becker muscular dystrophy is a rare, X-linked genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle degeneration and currently has no approved treatments. The disease leads to irreversible muscle loss, limiting basic functions such as walking.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an even more severe genetic disorder that begins at birth, with most patients losing the ability to walk in their early teens and a median life expectancy of around 30 years.
“The acquisition of Edgewise Therapeutics’ muscular dystrophy business is a key step forward to achieve our Servier 2030 ambition in neurology with a team of talented experts and a promising asset in muscular dystrophies.
'This acquisition aims to provide targeted therapies to patients with rare neuromuscular disorders. Developing treatments for young and adult patients, with highly debilitating rare conditions and limited to no options today, is at the heart of our mission," said Olivier Laureau, President of Servier.
"We believe Servier is well positioned to advance sevasemten and the muscular dystrophy program given its commitment to patients, growing focus in neurology, and global development capabilities.
"This transaction is designed to place the program in the hands of an organization with the experience and infrastructure to support its continued development for people living with Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophies," said Kevin Koch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Edgewise Therapeutics, also commented on the deal.
