Jazz Pharmaceuticals agreed to acquire Actio Biosciences for up to $1.3 billion, with $820 million upfront, to expand its epilepsy pipeline. The deal is anchored by Actio’s lead program ABS-1230, a KCNT1 ion channel inhibitor being tested in children with KCNT1-related epilepsy and in a phase 1b/2a study designed to support eventual FDA filing. Actio will spin out a new privately funded entity at closing, retaining certain personnel and assets while transferring ABS-1230 to Jazz; the spinout is intended to focus on a genetic rare neurologic program, including early-stage therapy for Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2C. The transaction highlights continued sponsor interest in ultra-rare CNS markets lacking approved options, where clinical differentiation and regulatory pathways can turn early signals into value-driving milestones.