1. In Vivo
  2. >>Leadership

Novartis and Idenix Pursue Interdependent Growth

Novartis has capped a recent dealmaking spree with its most innovative deal yet--a half-acquisition of, half-alliance with, Idenix Pharmaceuticals. The big Swiss company agreed to pay $255 million to acquire a 51% equity stake in the private biotech company.

Novartis AG 's expanded pharmaceutical business development group has been zooming to the top of the activity charts. Just last month, and for the relatively modest price of $225 million (perhaps 30% of projected peak sales), it bought rights to the nearly approved incontinence therapy darifenacin (Enablex) from Pfizer Inc. [See Deal], which had been forced by the FTC to unload the drug in advance of closing the Pharmacia acquisition [See Deal]. The product should provide a modest add-on to a women's health business headlined by tegaserod (Zelnorm) for irritable bowel syndrome.

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Leadership

Building The Worm Atlas For I&I Breakthroughs

 
• By Ian Taylor

The next big thing in auto-immune therapies: worms. Or so a young California biotech believes. Holoclara is pioneering a new class of medicines derived from intestinal worms to revolutionize the treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergies, and more.

Podcast: OSE Immunotherapeutics’ CEO On Ulcerative Colitis Asset

 
• By David Wild

Nicolas Poirier, CEO of French biotech OSE Immunotherapeutics, spoke with In Vivo about the company's anti-IL-7R antibody, lusvertikimab, on the heels of impressive ulcerative colitis data presented at the 2025 European Crohn's and Colitis Organization meeting.

Rising Leaders 2025: Partnerships Propel Crystal Qin’s LaNova To Record-Breaking Merck Deal

 
• By Brian Yang

Crystal Qin has led LaNova Medicines’ swift rise in the biotech world through strategic partnerships and innovative R&D, highlighted by a record deal with big pharma.

Rising Leaders 2025: Amir Hefni Puts Optimism Into Action At Resolution Therapeutics

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

In Vivo Rising Leader Amir Hefni, CEO of Resolution Therapeutics, discusses the company's advancements in macrophage cell therapies for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, and his transition from big pharma to biotech leadership.

More from In Vivo

Rising Leaders 2025: Partnerships Propel Crystal Qin’s LaNova To Record-Breaking Merck Deal

 
• By Brian Yang

Crystal Qin has led LaNova Medicines’ swift rise in the biotech world through strategic partnerships and innovative R&D, highlighted by a record deal with big pharma.

Rising Leaders 2025: Amir Hefni Puts Optimism Into Action At Resolution Therapeutics

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

In Vivo Rising Leader Amir Hefni, CEO of Resolution Therapeutics, discusses the company's advancements in macrophage cell therapies for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, and his transition from big pharma to biotech leadership.

In Vivo’s 2025 Rising Leaders

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

The sixth annual edition of In Vivo’s Rising Leaders features entrepreneurs, academics, lawyers, regulators and innovators from around the globe, representing the forefront of creativity in health care.