Billion-Dollar Molecules: Etavopivat, an Allosteric PKR Kinase Activator for Sickle Cell Disease

Billion-Dollar Molecules: Etavopivat, an Allosteric PKR Kinase Activator for Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract. Novo Nordisk has acquired Forma Therapeutics for $1.1B for its primary investigational drug, etavopivat. Etavopivat, a past Molecule of the Month, is an oral, once-daily allosteric activator of pyruvate kinase-R (PKR), which is currently being tested in Phase II/III clinical trials for the treatment of sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies. In this article, we cover:

• the mechanism of action of the drug

• the clinical context of the acquired portfolio

• the details of the deal