Novartis is pushing deeper into antibody-drug conjugate development, paying $1.1 billion upfront to buy Myricx Bio for a pipeline based on a novel payload, as reported by Fierce Biotech. The Swiss pharma company has been slower to adopt ADCs compared to its peers, but this acquisition signals a strategic shift. Myricx, based in London, is developing cancer therapies that utilize N-myristoyltransferase inhibitor (NMTi) payloads, a distinct approach that Novartis believes could address resistance and other limitations associated with existing payloads. This move may broaden the applicability of ADCs across various tumor types, positioning Novartis to capture a more significant share of the oncology market.
In a related development, congressional Republicans are advocating for increased diversity in clinical trials, a topic that faced challenges during the Trump administration. The Republican-controlled House recently passed a bill to fund the FDA, accompanied by a report urging the agency to enforce laws requiring companies to submit plans for diversifying clinical trials. This legislative push reflects a growing recognition of the importance of inclusivity in clinical research, which could lead to more representative data and improved patient outcomes in future drug development.
Open the full market picture for your next decision →
