Vital Therapies is expected to acquire all of the outstanding shares in Immunic, a private clinical-stage biotechnology company in Planegg-Martinsried, in exchange for newly issued shares of Vital Therapies in an all-stock transaction. Financial terms were not disclosed. The company will focus on advancing Immunic‘s pipeline of novel and potentially transformative treatments for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Upon closing of the transaction, the company is expected to operate under the name Immunic and trade on the NASDAQ Global Market. “Following an extensive and thorough review of strategic alternatives, we believe that this transaction with Immunic is the best path forward and has the potential to deliver significant and near-term value to Vital Therapies stockholders. We believe that the strength and dedication of the Immunic leadership team will provide our company with the capabilities to develop new and much-needed therapies for patients with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.” Russell J. Cox, Vital Therapies Chief Executive Officer.