The move comes as GSK faces pressure to replenish its pipeline, with some of its top-selling drugs nearing the end of their exclusivity periods.

GSK plc GSK announced that it has signed an agreement with Massachusetts-based biopharmaceutical company Boston Pharmaceuticals to acquire the latter’s lead pipeline drug, efimosfermin alfa. Efimosfermin is an investigational long-acting variant of FGF21 protein designed to treat and prevent the progression of steatotic liver disease (SLD),

GSK will gain access to efimosfermin by acquiring Boston’s subsidiary BP Asset IX for $1.2bn upfront and up to $800m in success-based milestone payments. The drugmaker will also be responsible for success-based milestone payments as well as tiered royalties for efimosfermin owed to Novartis Pharma.