Novartis agrees $3bn deal to buy heart drug biotech from Blackstone
Novartis has agreed to acquire Anthos Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $3.1bn, after Blackstone Life Sciences funded the development of its treatment to help prevent strokes and other serious blood clots.
Anthos Therapeutics was set up by Blackstone Life Sciences after it licensed the drug abelacimab from Novartis in 2019, providing $250mn for clinical trials involving patients at high risk of cardiovascular problems. Novartis kept a minority stake in the company and will now pay $925mn upfront to buy the remainder, with other potential payments depending on future milestones.