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HOOKIPA And Poolbeg Announce Potential Merger To Form Biopharma Powerhouse

HOOKIPA and Poolbeg propose a merger, forming a clinical-stage biopharma advancing novel immunotherapies for cancer and major diseases.

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  • Jan 02, 2025

  • Simantini Singh Deo

HOOKIPA And Poolbeg Announce Potential Merger To Form Biopharma Powerhouse

The boards of HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. and Poolbeg Pharma plc say they are in preliminary, non-binding talks about a recommended all-share takeover of Poolbeg by HOOKIPA. As part of this friendly proposed transaction, the combined new company is to become a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm with a focus on the delivery of novel molecular and cellular therapies in addressing important unmet medical needs, with emphasis on advanced immunotherapies for major diseases such as cancer and other serious illnesses.


The potential combination is intended to be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006. The combined new entity for entering Nasdaq would mean the experienced top teams from both companies would drive operational efficiencies and the best possible commercialization of innovative treatments.

This collaboration will involve the creation of a company that will have a diversified clinical pipeline. They are HOOKIPA’s HB-700, a leading immunotherapy that targets multiple KRAS in cancer where traditional treatments are scarce, and Poolbeg’s POLB 001, an oral therapy to curb cytokine release syndrome (CRS) associated with cancer immunotherapy. Both assets are major ones in the pharmaceutical industry, and both are predicted to undergo major developments. 


Further, it is anticipated that clinical accomplishment will be steered by the merger, with data expected from several programs within the next two years targeting large therapeutic markets with proper unmet demands. The partnership also includes two ongoing programs with Gilead Sciences, Inc., which could lead to significant development and commercialization revenue and sales royalties if approved. If successful, this combination will transform the new entity into an important player in the next-generation immunotherapies, enhancing the attractiveness of the new entity for investors and the broader pharmaceutical market.

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