Acrivon acquires JAK1 inhibitor ACR-525 from Aqilion, enters immunology

Acrivon Therapeutics announced on November 6, 2026 that it had acquired ACR-525 (formerly known as AQ280), a Phase 2-ready, oral, highly selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, and a protein kinase C theta (PKCθ) inhibitor preclinical program, from Aqilion AB.¹ The company said the acquisition establishes immunology and inflammation as a strategic pillar for Acrivon alongside its oncology programs.¹

Under the deal terms, Acrivon acquired Aqilion's rights to AQ280 (now known as ACR-525) and the PKCθ inhibitor preclinical programs, including the associated intellectual property rights, data, regulatory filings and drug supply, for an undisclosed cash consideration without future royalties or milestone obligations.¹ Separately, Acrivon, Aqilion and LEO Pharma entered into an agreement terminating all future royalty and milestone obligations on ACR-525 previously agreed to between Aqilion and LEO Pharma.¹ The transaction was approved by the boards of directors of Acrivon and Aqilion and closed concurrently with the signing of the definitive agreement.¹

Acrivon said that as part of due diligence, it applied global AP3 phosphoproteomic profiling to quantify ACR-525's drug-regulated cellular pathway effects against six approved JAK inhibitors and dupilumab, characterizing ACR-525 as a highly selective JAK1 inhibitor with minimal off-target effects compared to approved JAK inhibitors and broader cellular effects than dupilumab.¹

For initial development, based on two completed Phase 1 studies, and a formulation designed for patients with difficulty swallowing, EoE is targeted as first potential indication.¹ The company also noted potential in other areas, since given its high selectivity and oral availability, ACR-525 has potential in IBD and other immune disorders, both as a single agent and in combination with approved I&I therapies.¹

Acrivon plans to host a webcast with EoE Key Opinion Leaders to discuss the ACR-525 and PKCθ inhibitor preclinical programs on November 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET.¹ Expected participants include Evan Dellon, M.D., M.P.H. of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Arjan Bredenoord, Ph.D. of Amsterdam University Medical Center.¹