Novartis, Arrowhead strike upto USD 2 billion deal for neuromuscular therapy license

“With a robust neuroscience pipeline and clear commitment to neurodegenerative diseases and genetic medicines, Novartis is a compelling partner for Arrowhead in the CNS space,” said Christopher Anzalone, Ph.D., President and CEO at Arrowhead. “Our TRiM platform has generated impressive preclinical results demonstrating delivery to CNS, including distribution to deep brain regions, after subcutaneous administration. The potential translation of these results in upcoming clinical trials would represent an important leap forward for neurodegenerative diseases and gene targets in the CNS that have been historically difficult to address. We look forward to working with Novartis to bring ARO-SNCA for the treatment of synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson’s Disease, into clinical trials as soon as possible and to collaborate on additional programs in the future.”

Fiona Marshall, Ph.D., President of Biomedical Research at Novartis added, “Neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease affect millions of patients worldwide. Novartis aspires to transform the lives of patients and families living with these diseases, by advancing medicines that significantly alter the course of the disease. We believe that one way to effectively target core drivers in Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases requires completely novel approaches to deliver RNA medicines to the brain. We see Arrowhead’s TRiM technology as having great potential to achieve the type of widespread and effective delivery in key brain structures that will be necessary to see the full benefit of RNA medicines in neurodegeneration.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will receive an exclusive worldwide license to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize ARO-SNCA, a preclinical stage program that utilizes Arrowhead’s TRiM platform for subcutaneous administration and delivery to the CNS designed to target the gene that encodes the alpha-synuclein protein as a potential treatment for patients with Parkinson’s Disease, and other synucleinopathies. Novartis will select additional collaboration targets outside of Arrowhead’s current pipeline to be developed using the TRiM platform.

For all licensed programs under the agreement, Arrowhead will conduct and complete preclinical research activities necessary to enable a clinical trial application (CTA) filing. Novartis will then assume sole control over development, manufacturing, medical affairs, and commercialization activities.

Upon closing, Novartis will make a $200 million upfront payment to Arrowhead. Arrowhead is also eligible to receive development, regulatory, and sales milestone payments of up to $2 billion. Arrowhead is further eligible to receive tiered royalties on commercial sales up to the low double digits.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and other customary conditions.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is serving as legal advisor to Arrowhead.