Asahi Kasei Acquires Aicuris in €780M Deal to Boost Antiviral Treatments

Asahi Kasei has agreed to buy Aicuris Anti-infective Cures AG in a €780 million deal. The acquisition will expand the Japanese company's range of treatments for severe viral infections in immunocompromised patients. The transaction is set to complete in the first half of 2026, pending legal approvals.

Aicuris specialises in therapies for viral infections, with a focus on immunocompromised individuals. Its lead candidate, pritelivir, recently showed strong results in a Phase 3 trial for refractory herpes simplex virus infections. The drug outperformed standard treatments, reinforcing its potential as a key therapy.

The company's pipeline also includes AIC468, a Phase 2-ready treatment aimed at preventing BK virus reactivation in kidney transplant recipients. Asahi Kasei plans to speed up the development of these drugs and bring them to more patients globally. The deal will also strengthen Aicuris' launch capabilities in the US.

Asahi Kasei intends to integrate Aicuris into its 'One AK Pharma' model, unifying operations across Japan, the US, and Europe. Bank of America Europe DAC and Gibson Dunn are advising Aicuris on the financial and legal aspects of the sale. The acquisition will leverage Asahi Kasei's expertise in intellectual property and commercialisation to maximise the value of Aicuris' pipeline.

The €780 million all-cash deal will bolster Asahi Kasei's presence in antiviral therapies. Aicuris' treatments, including pritelivir and AIC468, are expected to reach more patients under the new ownership. The transaction remains subject to regulatory and legal procedures before finalisation in early 2026.