Mirum Pharmaceuticals and Travere Therapeutics have entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of Travere’s bile acid product portfolio that includes Cholbam (cholic acid) and Chenodal (chenodiol), two medications addressing rare diseases in high-need settings.
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Mirum will purchase Travere’s bile acid product portfolio for $445 million, consisting of $210 million upfront and $235 million in potential sales-based milestone payments.
Mirum will acquire Travere’s rights to Cholbam, indicated for the treatment of bile acid synthesis disorders due to single enzyme deficiencies and adjunctive treatment of peroxisomal disorders in patients who show signs or symptoms of liver disease, and Chenodal, indicated for the treatment of radiolucent stones in the gallbladder, which is also under Phase 3 clinical evaluation for cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX).
Mirum has secured $210 million in funding from a syndicate of existing investors led by Frazier Life Sciences and other existing stockholders and new investors that include Avidity Partners, BVF Partners, Longitude Capital, Sofinnova Investments, Inc. and a healthcare investment fund to finance the upfront payment for the acquisition.
“The addition of the bile acid replacement therapies from Travere will strengthen our pipeline and offer an opportunity to leverage our unique expertise in the development and commercialization of treatments in rare and underserved liver diseases,” said Chris Peetz, president and chief executive officer at Mirum.
“This synergistic acquisition of the bile acid portfolio along with the opportunity to sponsor the genetic testing program will help to reinforce our leadership position in pediatric hepatology. We look forward to building on the meaningful work initiated by the talented Travere team and delivering on our commitment to advancing research and bringing treatments to rare liver disease patients in need.”
“This agreement is an important step forward in Travere’s strategy to deliver our pipeline of innovative medicines to patients living with rare disease,” said Eric Dube Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Travere Therapeutics.
“The sale of the bile acid portfolio will enable us to further focus our efforts on the ongoing, and successful launch of FILSPARI for IgA nephropathy, pursuing a potential regulatory path forward for sparsentan in FSGS, and the development of pegtibatinase for the treatment of classical homocystinuria, all of which we believe have the potential to be future treatment standards in their respective indications.
“This divestment will also strengthen our financial foundation by meaningfully extending our cash runway and allow us to maximize our growth potential. We look forward to working with Mirum to ensure a seamless transition and continuing the commitment to delivering these important medicines to patients in the rare liver disease community.”
