Summary:
Novartis acquires Anthos Therapeutics for $925 million upfront to access the drug abelacimab.
The deal could reach up to $3.08 billion depending on regulatory milestones.
Abelacimab is a Factor XI inhibitor, aimed to be safer than current blood thinners like Xarelto and Eliquis.
Novartis has a history of acquiring startups, enhancing their cardiovascular pipeline.
The acquisition reflects a growing interest in private biotech companies in the pharmaceutical industry.
Novartis Acquires Anthos Therapeutics
On February 11, 2025, Novartis announced a significant acquisition of Anthos Therapeutics, a startup it helped establish six years ago. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing Novartis' cardiovascular pipeline by regaining access to an experimental blood thinner named abelacimab. This blood-thinning drug is currently undergoing late-stage testing.
Novartis on Feb. 11, 2025 announced a deal to acquire Anthos Therapeutics. Kahan Shan via Getty Images
Financial Details of the Deal
The acquisition deal involves an upfront payment of $925 million, with potential additional payments up to $2.15 billion based on meeting regulatory and sales milestones. This deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025.
The Potential of Abelacimab
Abelacimab is categorized as a Factor XI inhibitor, designed to offer a safer alternative to existing blood thinners like Xarelto and Eliquis, which generate billions in sales but come with significant bleeding risks. Despite some inconsistencies in testing results, the acquisition is viewed as a validation for the Factor XI mechanism and its potential in the anticoagulant market.
Competitive Landscape
The competitive landscape for blood thinners is heating up, with generic versions of Eliquis expected by 2026, which could raise the bar for alternative therapies. Anthos has already shown promising results, claiming abelacimab to be safer than Xarelto based on a mid-stage trial conducted in November 2023.
Novartis' Recent Acquisitions
This acquisition marks Novartis' first of 2025 and continues a trend of startup buyouts by the company, following acquisitions of DTx Pharma, Mariana Oncology, and others. The ongoing shift in pharma deal-making is increasingly focusing on privately held companies, reflecting a broader strategy in the industry.
David Soergel, head of Novartisā cardiovascular, renal and metabolism development unit, expressed pride in the roots of abelacimab within Novartis and commended the Anthos team for their dedication and progress on this promising drug.
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