Aurinia Pharmaceuticals to Acquire Kezar Life Sciences

The $6.955 per share cash deal includes additional potential milestone payments.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:43pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A minimalist, high-end studio still life photograph featuring a glass beaker filled with a vibrant blue liquid, a stack of medical files, and a set of silver forceps, symbolizing the intersection of pharmaceutical research and the development of innovative treatments.The acquisition of Kezar Life Sciences will expand Aurinia's pipeline of promising autoimmune and kidney disease therapies.Rockville Today

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering transformative therapies, has announced plans to acquire Kezar Life Sciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, for $6.955 in cash per share. The acquisition also includes potential additional milestone payments.

Why it matters

The deal will expand Aurinia's pipeline and strengthen its position in the autoimmune and kidney disease treatment markets. Kezar's lead drug candidate, KZR-616, is currently in late-stage clinical trials for the treatment of lupus and other autoimmune conditions.

The details

Under the terms of the agreement, Aurinia will acquire all outstanding shares of Kezar Life Sciences for $6.955 per share in cash. The transaction also includes potential additional milestone payments of up to $4 per share, contingent on the achievement of certain regulatory and commercial milestones related to Kezar's pipeline.

  • The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

The players

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals

A biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering transformative therapies for patients suffering from serious diseases with a high unmet medical need.

Kezar Life Sciences

A clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel small molecule therapeutics to treat serious autoimmune disorders and severe inflammatory diseases.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This acquisition represents a significant milestone for Aurinia as we continue to build a leading autoimmune and kidney disease company. Kezar's pipeline, led by the promising KZR-616 program, is highly complementary to our own and will further strengthen our position in these important therapeutic areas.”

— Peter Greenleaf, Chief Executive Officer of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals

“We are excited to join forces with Aurinia, a company that shares our commitment to developing innovative therapies for patients with serious autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This transaction will provide Kezar shareholders with immediate value and the opportunity to participate in the future success of the combined company.”

— John Fowler, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kezar Life Sciences

What’s next

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

The takeaway

The acquisition of Kezar Life Sciences will bolster Aurinia's pipeline and solidify its position as a leader in the development of transformative therapies for autoimmune and kidney diseases, providing potential new treatment options for patients.