Sobi to Acquire Arthrosi Therapeutics, Bolstering Gout Pipeline
- Adds a highly differentiated Phase 3 asset for gout to Sobi’s portfolio
- Expected to be highly accretive to Sobi’s mid- to long-term growth and margin outlook
Sobi® (STO:SOBI) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Arthrosi Therapeutics, Inc. (Arthrosi), a privately held biotech company advancing a next-generation gout treatment. The deal broadens Sobi’s gout franchise by bringing in pozdeutinurad (AR882), an investigational, next-generation URAT1 inhibitor administered once daily. Pozdeutinurad is currently enrolled in two global Phase 3 studies that are fully recruited, targeting progressive and tophaceous gout with topline results anticipated in 2026. This asset could be a best-in-class URAT1 inhibitor for patients who do not respond adequately to first-line therapies. The move aligns with Sobi’s commitment to expanding treatment options for people living with gout.
“Acquiring Arthrosi enhances our gout pipeline with a markedly differentiated asset,” commented Guido Oelkers, Sobi’s President and CEO. “Pozdeutinurad has the potential to become the preferred therapy for patients with progressive gout who continue to experience symptoms despite initial treatment. The program could meaningfully accelerate our growth through the mid-2030s and beyond. We warmly welcome the Arthrosi team and look forward to collaborating closely so we can offer this therapy to patients as soon as feasible.”
“We’re excited to join forces with Sobi and are eager to ensure a smooth transition as they advance pozdeutinurad toward pivotal data and potential regulatory filings. We believe Sobi’s global commercialization expertise will speed our shared mission to deliver pozdeutinurad’s potentially transformative benefits to people living with gout,” stated Litain Yeh, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Arthrosi Therapeutics.
Transaction details
Under the agreement, Sobi will pay USD 950 million (approximately SEK 9.1 billion) in upfront cash to acquire Arthrosi, plus up to USD 550 million (approximately SEK 5.3 billion) in potential cash milestones tied to clinical, regulatory, and sales milestones.
The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Sobi intends to fund the upfront payment largely through existing debt facilities and a new credit facility provided by Handelsbanken and Danske Bank.
The acquisition is anticipated to be highly accretive to Sobi’s growth and margin trajectory over the medium to long term.
Barclays Bank PLC serves as financial adviser to Sobi, and McDermott Will & Emory (McDermott, Will & Schulte) acts as legal advisor.
About Pozdeutinurad
Pozdeutinurad (AR882) is an investigational URAT1 inhibitor being developed for progressive and tophaceous gout. Phase 2 data showed strong reductions in serum uric acid and dissolution of tophi with a favorable safety profile. It is currently being evaluated in two Phase 3 studies, REDUCE 1 and REDUCE 2, both twelve-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials designed to measure reductions in serum urate in patients with progressive and tophaceous gout. Both studies are fully enrolled, with pivotal results expected in 2026.
About Arthrosi
Arthrosi Therapeutics, Inc., based in San Diego, CA, focuses on pozdeutinurad, a potentially best-in-class, highly potent and selective URAT1 inhibitor intended to lower serum urate, decrease flares, and reduce tophi in patients with progressive gout. Rights to pozdeutinurad in Greater China are held by ApicHope.
Investor Call
A conference call with presentation and Q&A is scheduled for December 15 at 08:00 CET. Access the live webcast here: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=6h5MbhIZ or at sobi.com. Slides will be available on sobi.com. Dial-in numbers:
Sweden: +46 8 5051 0031
United Kingdom: +44 207 107 0613
United States: +1 631 570 5613
For other countries, see the provided numbers.
About Gout
Gout is the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis, arising from high uric acid levels that accumulate around joints and tissues, triggering painful flares. If untreated, gout can progress to chronic joint damage, reduced mobility, and tophi formation. Even with first-line urate-lowering therapies, some patients remain undertreated or unresponsive, allowing disease progression. In later stages, uncontrolled gout is associated with higher risks of kidney disease and cardiovascular complications, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and effective management. Despite available treatments, many patients struggle to reach target uric acid levels, highlighting the ongoing need for innovative therapies to prevent long-term disability and improve quality of life.
Sobi
Sobi is a global biopharma company focused on unlocking breakthrough innovations to transform the lives of people with rare diseases. With around 1,900 employees spanning Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, Sobi posted SEK 26 billion in revenue in 2024. Sobi’s shares (STO:SOBI) are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Learn more at sobi.com and on LinkedIn.
Contacts
For investor relations inquiries, please visit the Sobi investor relations page. For media inquiries, see the Sobi media page.
This release contains information that Sobi is required to disclose under EU Market Abuse Regulation. It was provided for publication through the contact person below at 17:00 CET on December 13, 2025.
Gerard Tobin
Head of Investor Relations
