Shionogi to acquire IntraBio for $2 billion in rare disease push

Japanese pharmaceutical giant Shionogi has announced plans to acquire IntraBio Inc., a biopharmaceutical company located in Austin, Texas, for a sum of $2 billion. This acquisition aims to bolster Shionogi's portfolio in rare diseases, adding AQNEURSA to its roster of treatments. AQNEURSA, approved by the FDA in September 2024, targets neurological aspects of Niemann-Pick disease Type C in both adults and pediatric patients, as well as receiving European Medicines Agency approval in January 2026.

Another approval by the FDA on September 18, 2026, expanded AQNEURSA's usage to Ataxia in adults and pediatric patients with Ataxia-Telangiectasia, marking it as the first drug to receive authorization for this indication. IntraBio is set to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shionogi Inc., under the New Jersey-based subsidiary of Shionogi.

The deal is pending various regulatory approvals and compliance with competition law, with completion anticipated in November or December 2026. Shionogi acquired the worldwide rights to edaravone, marketed as RADICAVA in the U.S., for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment in April 2026. IntraBio's fiscal year 2025 saw net sales of $67.9 million, coupled with an operating loss of $35.3 million and net income of $35.8 million, based on U.S. GAAP accounting principles.

The acquisition encompasses global rights to AQNEURSA, including intellectual property and commercialization rights. The rarity disease expertise of IntraBio will complement Shionogi's ongoing pipeline programs for Pompe disease, Fragile X syndrome, and Jordan's syndrome. Financial advice for Shionogi was provided by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, while legal counsel was handled by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP.

For IntraBio, Centerview Partners LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as financial advisors, with Kirkland & Ellis LLP and DLA Piper LLP acting as their legal advocates. This news report, generated with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor, strictly adheres to the facts, names, figures, and dates provided in the source material.