Celgene has agreed to acquire Avila Therapeutics in a deal that is valued at up to US$925 M. With the acquisition, Celgene will gain AVL-292, an oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitor in Phase I development for haematological malignancies and autoimmune diseases, and Avila’s Avilomics™ platform for the discovery and development of targeted covalent drugs. The deal, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, is expected to complete during the first quarter of 2012.