Blackstone Commits $300 Million to Uniquity Bio's Immunology & Inflammation Novel Medicines

Blackstone today announced the launch of the Blackstone Life Sciences portfolio company Uniquity Bio, a clinical-stage drug development company focused on immunology and inflammation.

Uniquity Bio launches with the U.S. FDA's acceptance of its Phase 2 investigational new drug application for solrikitug, a monoclonal antibody targeting TSLP.

Solrikitug is a highly potent anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody that prevents the binding of TSLP to its receptors. Given TSLP's position as the "master switch" cytokine at the top of the inflammatory cascade, solrikitug could have potential utility in various immunology and inflammation programs.

Solrikitug was in-licensed from Merck & Co., Inc.

Up to $300 million in capital from Blackstone will advance Solrikitug in multiple indications.

"Our investment in Uniquity Bio illustrates Blackstone Life Sciences' commitment to finding, developing, and delivering potentially transformative medicines to patients around the world," said Nicholas Galakatos, Ph.D., Global Head of Blackstone Life Sciences, in a press release on May 15, 2024.

"We are proud to partner with Uniquity's team of veteran industry leaders as they advance solrikitug and expand their immunology and inflammation pipeline with additional programs in the near future."

The company aims to deliver best-in-class efficacy with solrikitug across several critical respiratory and GI indications with significant unmet needs. In the next month, Uniquity Bio will launch Phase 2 clinical trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — the third leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization — and asthma, which the WHO estimates affects more than 260 million people across the globe.