Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. acquired Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company developing deuruxolitinib, a novel, deuterated, oral JAK1/2 inhibitor, for the potential treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata. 

“We are excited to add deuruxolitinib, a late-stage, potential best-in-class treatment for alopecia areata, to our growing global dermatology portfolio and expand our presence in the Boston biotech hub,” said Abhay Gandhi, CEO North America, Sun Pharma. “By bringing together Concert’s talented team with Sun Pharma’s global reach and commercial capabilities, this acquisition is an opportunity to bring deuruxolitinib to market globally and make a meaningful difference to alopecia areata patients around the world.”

Deuruxolitinib is an investigational oral selective inhibitor of Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK2.

The U.S. FDA recently maintained breakthrough therapy designation for deuruxolitinib for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata.

The FDA previously granted Fast Track designation for deuruxolitinib for the treatment of alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in partial or complete loss of hair on the scalp and body. Alopecia areata may affect up to 2.5% of the U.S. and global population during their lifetime.