Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
Otsuka acquired Boston-based Jnana Therapeutics as a wholly owned subsidiary in an all-cash deal: $800M upfront plus up to $325M in development and regulatory milestones (headline value up to $1.125B). Announced August 1, 2024, the acquisition CLOSED on September 24, 2024, with Jnana becoming a direct subsidiary of Otsuka America, Inc. The deal centered on JNT-517 (now named repinatrabit), a first-in-class oral SLC6A19 inhibitor for phenylketonuria (PKU) that lowers blood phenylalanine independent of patient age or genotype, plus Jnana's RAPID (Reactive Affinity Probe Interaction Discovery) chemoproteomics platform feeding a specialty/autoimmune pipeline. Post-close the lead asset advanced as projected: Otsuka launched the global Phase 3 pivotal PheORD trial (NCT06971731, recruiting, started October 2025) and reported positive open-label-extension data at ACMG 2026 showing a ~67% mean reduction in blood Phe in adolescents, validating the original deal thesis.