Roche Spends $451 Million to Acquire Inflazome's NLRP3 Program

In a forward-looking move that could provide it with new drugs to fight a variety of autoimmune disorders, healthcare giant Roche (OTC: RHHBY) is acquiring Ireland-based Inflazome for 380 million euros, about $451 million at the current exchange rate. The acquisition will bring with it Inflazome's oral NLRP3 program, including two small-molecule inflammasome inhibitors in early-stage clinical trials. The NLRP3 gene provides the body with instructions to make cryopyrin, a protein that spots molecular danger signals and prompts an immune system reaction to infections and tissue damage.