Essential Pharma Acquires Renaissance Pharma, Expands Pediatric Oncology Portfolio

Essential Pharma, a global specialty pharmaceutical group, has successfully acquired the entire issued share capital of Renaissance Pharma Ltd., a company focused on developing transformative therapies for pediatric rare diseases.

Renaissance Pharma’s flagship product, Hu14.18K322A (Hu14.18), is an immunotherapy currently in Phase II clinical trials for treating high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB). This acquisition marks the addition of a second candidate to Essential Pharma’s rare disease portfolio, emphasizing the company’s commitment to developing clinically differentiated medicines for small patient populations. Hu14.18 is Essential Pharma’s first clinical-stage asset, aimed at addressing significant unmet needs in pediatric oncology.

Simon Ball, CEO and co-founder of Renaissance Pharma, along with key members of his team, will continue to collaborate with Essential Pharma on advancing Hu14.18.

The Phase II trial of Hu14.18, which includes its use in first-line and post-consolidation therapies for HRNB, has shown promising results, with a 3-year event-free survival (EFS) rate of 73.7% and an overall survival (OS) rate of 86.0%. These findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in December 2021, with five-year OS data expected soon.

Under an exclusive license agreement signed in 2023, Essential Pharma will work closely with St. Jude Children’s Hospital to further develop and commercialize Hu14.18 in the regions covered by Renaissance’s license. Essential Pharma will oversee clinical development, regulatory approval pathways, and the eventual commercial launch of Hu14.18.

Emma Johnson, CEO of Essential Pharma, stated, “Acquiring Hu14.18, our second rare disease treatment and the first development-stage asset in our portfolio, is a major milestone for Essential Pharma, reflecting our dedication to providing access to clinically differentiated medicines.”

Lee Morley, Executive Chairman of Renaissance Pharma Ltd. and Non-Executive Director at Essential Pharma, expressed confidence in the partnership, noting, “Essential Pharma is the ideal partner to advance Hu14.18. Having collaborated with Emma at EUSA Pharma, I am confident in her and the Essential Pharma team’s ability to bring this crucial therapy to market for children with high-risk neuroblastoma.”