Servier supercharges neuro pipeline with $450M deal for Fragile X syndrome candidate

(Sep 8, 2025) by Darren Incorvaia.

Servier is souping up its neurology pipeline with a clinical-stage candidate sourced from U.K. biotech Kaerus Bioscience for a rare genetic disease. The French pharma is offering as much as $450 million for KER-0193, a potential therapy for Fragile X syndrome.

Kaerus will be paid an undisclosed amount upfront for the asset and can also earn additional payments through development and commercial milestones, Servier announced in a Sept. 8 release.

Servier plans to launch a phase 2 clinical trial of KER-0193 in Europe and the U.S. next year, according to the release.

“KER-0193 is Servier’s first asset acquisition in neurology and so marks a significant milestone in our 2030 strategy, reinforcing our long-term commitment to establishing a leading neurology franchise focused on rare diseases,” Claude Bertrand, Ph.D.,