Jazz Pharmaceuticals to acquire Actio Biosciences for $820 million upfront

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc and Actio Biosciences, Inc. announced on August 10, 2026 that they had entered into a definitive agreement for Jazz to acquire privately-held Actio Biosciences for $820 million upfront and up to $500 million in contingent consideration.¹

The lead asset is ABS-1230, described as a novel, first-in-class small molecule precision therapy KCNT1 ion channel inhibitor.¹ KCNT1+ epilepsy is a rare genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathy affecting approximately 2,500 patients in the United States.¹ There are currently no U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved therapies for KCNT1+ epilepsy.¹

According to the release, ABS-1230 recently demonstrated meaningful seizure reductions in an early clinical proof-of-concept trial in children with KCNT1 epilepsy.¹ The ongoing Phase 1b/2a KYRON trial is designed to serve as the registrational study to support a new drug application submission in the U.S.¹ The compound also holds FDA Fast Track, Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug Product designations, and was accepted into the FDA's new Rare Disease Evidence Principles (RDEP) program which aims to facilitate rapid development of ultra-rare disease therapies.¹

As part of the structure, Actio Biosciences will spin out a new privately-held entity holding certain management, employees and assets, not including ABS-1230, funded by existing investors with Jazz taking a minority stake; the new company will focus on genetic rare neurological diseases including ABS-0871 for Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2C.¹

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of both companies and is expected to close by the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.¹ Jazz said it will fund the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and drawing on existing financing facilities.¹ Moelis & Company and Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP are advising Jazz, while J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Centerview Partners LLC are serving as financial advisors to Actio Biosciences, and Cooley LLP is serving as legal advisor.¹