Tarsus Pharma to spend $450M upfront acquiring Alkeus to expand its ophthalmology pipeline

Tarsus Pharmaceuticals announced it will acquire Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, a Phase 3 biotech focused on a Stargardt disease drug, for an upfront payment of $450 million. The deal is intended to broaden Tarsus' ophthalmology portfolio.

The acquisition was disclosed by both companies on Thursday morning. Tarsus aims to integrate Alkeus' lead candidate into its development program and leverage its expertise in eye‑disease therapeutics.

The transaction underscores Tarsus' strategic push into the ophthalmology market, signaling confidence in the potential of Alkeus' Stargardt drug to address an unmet need.