WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - AbbVie (ABBV) Thursday announced the acquisition of
Celsius Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company pioneering
new therapies for patients with inflammatory disease, for $250 million in cash.

Celsius' lead investigational asset is CEL383, a potential first-in-class
anti-TREM1 antibody that has completed a Phase 1 clinical study for the
treatment of IBD.

TREM1 has been identified as a key disease driver gene in IBD, where it is
expressed on inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils. In these cell types and
others, TREM1 is upstream of multiple known inflammatory pathways and acts as an
amplifier of inflammation.

'Given the potential relevance of TREM1 as a key driver of inflammation and
pathology in IBD and other conditions, we are eager to advance the development
of CEL383 with a goal of helping more patients with IBD achieve remission,' said
Kori Wallace, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, global head of immunology clinical
development, AbbVie.

'AbbVie shares our excitement about the potential of TREM1 inhibition for
patients with inflammatory disease,' said Tariq Kassum, M.D., chief executive
officer, Celsius. 'I'd like to thank the Celsius team for their relentless
efforts in the discovery of CEL383. We look forward to the further development
of this promising program, which we hope will offer a new approach to the
treatment of IBD.'



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