Novartis concludes acquisition of Chinook Therapeutics

Chinook’s pipeline includes two late-stage assets in clinical development to treat Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN), atrasentan and zigakibart (BION-1301), as well as earlier stage research and development programs. Atrasentan, an oral endothelin A receptor antagonist (ERA) currently in Phase 3 development for IgAN with a pivotal readout expected in Q4 2023, has shown significant reductions in proteinuria. Atrasentan is also in early-stage development for other rare kidney diseases. Zigakibart (BION-1301) is a subcutaneously administered anti-APRIL monoclonal antibody which entered Phase 3 development for IgAN in July 2023.

“We are excited to complete this important transaction and look forward to leveraging our combined resources and expertise to further advance the development of these promising treatments for the benefit of patients with rare, severe chronic kidney diseases,” said Vas Narasimhan, M.D., CEO of Novartis. “We welcome the Chinook team to Novartis as we expand our renal portfolio and continue our journey to reimagine medicine.”

Chinook stockholders will receive USD 40.00 in cash per Chinook share (total of USD 3.2 billion), plus up to a further USD 4.00 in cash per Chinook share, through a contingent value right (CVR), upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones, representing a potential additional USD 300 million in aggregate contingent consideration.

Read also: Novartis to acquire Chinook Therapeutics for up to USD 3.5 billion in boost to late stage pipeline

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that Novartis had acquired DTx Pharma, a San-Diego based, preclinical stage biotechnology company focused on leveraging its proprietary FALCON platform to develop siRNA therapies for neuroscience indications.