argenx SE announced an agreement to acquire a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Priority Review Voucher (PRV) for $102 million. A PRV entitles the holder to FDA priority review of a single Biologics License Application (BLA), which reduces the target review period and may lead to an expedited approval.
argenx expects to redeem the PRV for a future marketing application for efgartigimod, its first-in-class neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker.
“This purchase underscores our commitment to transform the way people living with chronic, autoimmune diseases are treated. We have demonstrated proof-of-concept in four autoimmune diseases with our first-in-class FcRn blocker, efgartigimod, and are planning to be active in fifteen disease targets by 2025. With a priority review voucher available, we hope to expedite the approval process for one of our current or future indications to more quickly reach the patients who are in serious need of a new treatment option,” said Tim Van Hauwermeiren, Chief Executive Officer of argenx.
The closing of the acquisition of the PRV is subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance under the Hart-Scott Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act.