Novartis has announced its acquisition of Avidity Biosciences for approximately $12 billion, a strategic move aimed at enhancing its neuroscience pipeline with three late-stage programs. This acquisition underscores Novartis’s commitment to advancing innovative therapies in the neuromuscular disease space.
Avidity, based in San Diego, is pioneering a novel class of RNA therapeutics known as Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs), targeting serious genetic neuromuscular conditions. The AOC technology allows for targeted delivery of RNA to muscle tissues, potentially transforming treatment paradigms for diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Novartis aims to leverage Avidity’s expertise to fulfill its goal of developing a robust portfolio of RNA-based therapies.
The acquisition is expected to provide Novartis with a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving RNA therapeutics landscape, particularly as it faces significant revenue losses from patent expirations on key products. With an anticipated surge in new treatments by 2030, Novartis is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on multi-billion-dollar market opportunities while ensuring the continuity of its growth trajectory.
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