Biotechnology company United Therapeutics Corporation (Nasdaq:UTHR) announced on Thursday that it has acquired Thymmune Therapeutics, a privately held, preclinical stage biotechnology company focused on regenerative thymic cell therapies.

This acquisition expands United Therapeutics' exposure to therapies targeting post-transplant organ tolerance, immunodeficiencies, and autoimmune diseases.

Thymmune Therapeutics has developed a proprietary process that converts human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into thymic cells capable of maturing in vivo to restore T-cell function. Its lead candidate, THY-100, is in preclinical development for congenital athymia, a rare and life-threatening condition in infants born without a functional thymus.

Animal studies indicate that THY-100 may enable formation of a neo-thymus that supports T-cell development. The acquisition supports further exploration of thymic regenerative medicine for transplant tolerance, immune-mediated diseases, and age-related immune decline.

United Therapeutics acquired Thymmune for USD140m in cash, subject to adjustments, plus potential earn-out payments of up to USD160m based on clinical and regulatory milestones through 2031.