Billion-Dollar Molecules: Avacopan (Tavneos), a First-in-Class C5aR Antagonist Acquired by Amgen

Amgen has acquired ChemoCentryx in a deal that includes lead molecule avacopan (Tavneos), a first-in-class orally bioavailable small molecule complement 5a receptor (C5aR) antagonist approved as an adjunctive treatment to standard of care therapy for adults with severe active anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). In this article we review:

• the details of the deal

• the clinical context

• why the drug and target matter