Novartis to acquire Avidity Biosciences for USD 12 billion
Basel: Novartis has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Avidity Biosciences, Inc., a San Diego-based, biopharmaceutical company focused on a new class of therapeutics enabling RNA delivery to muscle.
The acquisition will follow the separation of Avidity’s early-stage precision cardiology programs.
The proposed acquisition will bring Avidity’s late-stage neuroscience programs into Novartis and provide Novartis access to a differentiated RNA-targeting delivery platform. These programs are expected to advance the company’s neuroscience strategy and complement the current pipeline with potential first-in-class therapeutic candidates that address the genetic drivers of muscle-damaging conditions.
“Avidity’s pioneering AOC platform for RNA therapeutics and its late-stage assets bolster our commitment to delivering innovative, targeted and potentially first-in-class medicines to treat devastating, progressive neuromuscular diseases,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis. “The Avidity team has built robust programs with industry-leading delivery of RNA therapeutics to muscle tissue. We look forward to developing these programs to meaningfully change the trajectory of diseases for patients.”
The proposed acquisition raises the expected 2024-2029 sales CAGR for Novartis from +5% to +6% CAGR, representing a significant opportunity to deliver substantial shareholder returns over time.
The proposed acquisition aligns with the long-term neuroscience strategy of Novartis, expanding the company’s pipeline with potential near-term launches in genetically defined diseases with high unmet need. The Avidity programs feature potential first-in-class, late-stage disease-modifying therapies in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a rare progressive neuromuscular disorder with a poor prognosis and no disease-modifying therapies; facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a rare hereditary disorder causing relentless loss of muscle function and progressive disability; and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a severe, early-onset disease marked by progressive muscle damage and reduced life expectancy.
The proposed acquisition is expected to create an industry-leading pipeline, building on the Novartis expertise in spinal muscular atrophy and commercialization capabilities in genetic neuromuscular diseases. Avidity AOC platform combines the tissue specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotides, enabling targeted delivery to previously hard-to-reach muscle cells. AOCs carry disease-specific, oligonucleotide payloads intended to correct underlying genetic mechanisms and enable targeted, disease-modifying therapies with the potential to have significant impact on patient lives.
Prior to the closing of the merger, Avidity will transfer to SpinCo, a wholly owned subsidiary of Avidity, the early-stage precision cardiology programs and collaborations of Avidity. The transfer includes certain Avidity assets whose transfer will trigger a right of first negotiation with an existing collaboration partner of Avidity. Holders of Avidity common stock will receive (1) a distribution of one share of SpinCo for every ten shares of Avidity they hold and/or (2) a pro rata cash distribution of the proceeds received by Avidity prior to the closing if certain SpinCo assets are, or SpinCo itself is, sold to a third party.
The acquisition by Novartis of Avidity is subject to the completion of a spin-off or a sale of SpinCo and other customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and the approval of Avidity stockholders. The companies expect the merger to close in the first half of 2026. Until closing, Novartis and Avidity will continue to operate as separate and independent companies.
