Asahi Kasei agreed on 26 February to acquire Wuppertal-based AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG for about €780m in cash, buying the company through its US transplant-medicine subsidiary Veloxis Pharmaceuticals.
Why Asahi Kasei Corporation is buying AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG
Asahi Kasei said the deal expands its portfolio of treatments for severe viral infections in patients who have had stem cell or organ transplants or have other immune-related conditions. It plans to sell AiCuris' pipeline through Veloxis' channel to US transplant centres and its renal-disease network. The Japanese group has made pharmaceuticals a first-priority business under its medium-term plan, "Trailblaze Together".
“This acquisition strategically enhances and further integrates the value chain across our priority focus areas”
Deal terms and financing
Asahi Kasei is paying about €780m, roughly $920m at the exchange rate of 25 February, in an all-cash transaction for all issued shares of AiCuris. Assets include royalties on MSD's PREVYMIS, the late-stage candidate pritelivir and AIC468, a Phase 2-ready candidate for BK virus in kidney transplant recipients.
Regulatory approvals and timing
Closing was expected in the first half of 2026 after required legal procedures. Asahi Kasei completed the acquisition in April 2026, according to trade press reports dated 22 April.
Market context
AiCuris was founded with backing from ATHOS. Reports on completion said Asahi Kasei expects AiCuris-related revenue to reach $500m by 2030, excluding AIC468, and that pritelivir had FDA priority review with a decision due in the fourth quarter of 2026.
