Novartis to boost cardio pipeline with Anthos Therapeutics buy

 Novartis (NOVN: VX) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire privately-held Anthos Therapeutics, which the Swiss pharma giant helped launch in 2019, granting it rights to abelacimab, a late-stage medicine in development for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is fully in line with Novartis’ growth strategy and therapeutic area focus, leveraging the company’s strength and expertise in the cardiovascular area.

Anthos Therapeutics, launched by Blackstone Life Sciences and Novartis in 2019, has advanced abelacimab through clinical development under a license from Novartis. Phase II data showed a significant reduction in bleeding events in patients taking abelacimab versus a standard of care direct-oral anticoagulant in patients with atrial fibrillation (AZALEA). Three Phase III clinical trials are ongoing for patients at risk of arterial and venous clots, one in patients with atrial fibrillation (LILAC-TIMI 76) and two in cancer associated thrombosis (ASTER) and (MAGNOLIA).