Araris Biotech AG, a Swiss biotechnology company and member of grow cluster, will be acquired by Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for an upfront payment of USD 400 million, with potential milestone payments of up to USD 740 million. The acquisition, which is expected to close in the first half of 2025, follows a research collaboration between the two companies signed in November 2023.
Araris, a spin-off from the Paul Scherrer Institute, specializes in the development of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer treatment. The company has developed the AraLinQ™ platform, which enables ADCs with improved stability, efficacy and safety.
Its three preclinical ADC candidates for hematological and solid tumors are expected to enter clinical trials between 2025 and 2026. This acquisition strengthens Taiho’s oncology pipeline by integrating Araris’ ADC expertise with Taiho’s Cysteinomix drug discovery platform.
Following the acquisition, Araris will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Taiho Pharmaceutical, continuing its research and development activities from its location in Au ZH.
As a grow cluster member, Araris’ success underlines the innovation within the cluster, reinforcing its role in advancing biotechnology.