Genentech’s newly approved multiple sclerosis (MS) injection takes about 10 minutes to administer, dramatically reducing the four to six hours required by its intravenous predecessor. The U.S. FDA approved the humanized monoclonal antibody Ocrevus Zunovo (ocrelizumab and hyaluronidase-ocsq) for relapsing MS and primary progressive MS on Sept. 13.
Novartis AG described the identification and activity of TAK-756, a novel, selective and potent TAK1 inhibitor, as a potential intra-articular therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Previous studies demonstrated that TAK1 appears to be a potential target for controlling inflammation and catabolism through NF-κB and MAPK pathways.
Siemens Healthineers AG made a binding offer to Novartis AG, of Basel, Switzerland, to acquire its Advanced Accelerator Applications Molecular Imaging business which includes the European manufacturing and distribution network of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography scans.
Novartis Pharma AG continues to cut some of the biggest collaboration deals of the year through a new agreement with privately held subsidiary Lindy Biosciences Inc. The two plan to create self-administered injections for some Novartis medicines that are currently infused intravenously.
There was more juice to be extracted from the grape that was the very successful Chinook Therapeutics Inc., so two investors have decided to make the most of it. Novartis AG and Versant Ventures have launched Borealis Biosciences Inc. from Chinook’s remnants to develop RNA therapies for treating kidney disease.
Novartis AG CEO Vas Narasimhan during the company’s July 18 second-quarter earnings call said his firm was “still in the midst of completing” the buyout disclosed in February of Morphosys AG, of Munich, for €2.7 billion (then US$2.9 billion), which brought worldwide rights to pelabresib, the small-molecule BET inhibitor for myelofibrosis.
The U.S. FDA has granted accelerated approval to Novartis AG’s Fabhalta (iptacopan) for reducing proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of rapid disease progression. The approval strengthens the company’s renal disease presence as it puts two other IgAN treatments through clinical trials.
Dren Bio Inc. has entered into a strategic collaboration with Novartis Pharma AG which will focus on the discovery and development of therapeutic bispecific antibodies for cancer leveraging Dren Bio’s proprietary Targeted Myeloid Engager and Phagocytosis Platform.
A new collaboration with Dren Bio Inc. means Novartis Pharma AG has negotiated two of the biggest deals of 2024, with its parent company Novartis AG signing a third. Privately held Dren is getting $150 million up front and the chance to ultimately bring in $2.85 billion. The $150 million up-front payment includes a $25 million equity investment.
