Sobi (STO: SOBI), a Sweden-based global biopharma company, announced on Saturday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Arthrosi Therapeutics Inc, a California-based private late-stage biotechnology company involved in developing a next-generation treatment for gout.

The transaction is claimed to strengthen Sobi's gout franchise with the addition of pozdeutinurad (AR882), an investigational next-generation, once-daily oral URAT1 inhibitor presently being assessed in two completely recruited global Phase three clinical studies for the potential management of progressive and tophaceous gout, with results expected to be revealed in 2026.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sobi will pay USD950m upfront in cash to acquire Arthrosi, along with up to USD550m in cash in clinical, regulatory and sales milestones. The deal is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is expected to complete in the first half of 2026.

Sobi is planning to fund the upfront payment mainly through debt in the form of present credit facilities and a new credit facility provided by Handelsbanken and Danske Bank. The company says that the transaction is expected to be highly accretive to the company s mid- to long-term growth and margin trajectory.

Sobi's financial advisor in the transaction is Barclays Bank PLC. The legal advisor to Sobi on this deal is Will & Schulte.