Servier has entered into a definitive agreement with Kaerus Bioscience to acquire KER-0193, a potential first-in-disease treatment for Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). KER-0193, discovered and developed by Kaerus Bioscience, recently completed a successful Phase 1 clinical study in healthy volunteers, confirming its safety, tolerability, and favorable pharmacokinetics. The drug has also received Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Drug Designations from the U.S. FDA, further highlighting its therapeutic potential. Under the terms of the deal, Kaerus will receive an upfront payment plus potential development and commercial milestones, with the total deal value reaching up to $450 million.
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“KER-0193 is Servier’s first asset acquisition in neurology and so marks a significant milestone in our 2030 strategy,” said Claude Bertrand, EVP of R&D at Servier. It reflects our determination to build a differentiated pipeline of innovative therapies for patients with underserved needs. We are particularly excited to advance KER-0193 as we believe it holds meaningful promise for patients living with Fragile X syndrome, a condition for which no approved treatment options exist today. Dr. Robert Ring, CEO of Kaerus Bioscience, added that Servier’s commitment to neurology makes it “the ideal partner” to advance KER-0193 globally. The deal reflects Servier’s drive to deliver innovative therapies.