France’s Servier Acquires Potential Fragile X Drug In $450M Deal

Les Laboratoires Servier is acquiring a potential treatment for Fragile X syndrome for as much as $450 million, another step to expand the French drugmaker’s development focus beyond cancer into neurology.

Servier is picking up KER-0193, a drug under development to treat Fragile X — the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder — from UK-based Kaerus Bioscience. KER-0193 showed promising effects on behavioral, sensory and cognitive deficits in preclinical studies, Servier said in a statement Monday.

Under the deal, Kaerus Bioscience will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and be eligible for additional ...