Novartis Spreads Cardiovascular Bets with Ionis Antisense Option Deal

Further expanding its cardiovascular pipeline, Novartis has signed an option deal with Ionis – and invested $100m into the smaller company – to license two investigational antisense drugs targeting cardiovascular indications in patients with elevated levels of lipoprotein.

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Novartis AG has entered into an option agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (formally Isis Pharmaceuticals) and its affiliate Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. to license two early-stage antisense treatments with the potential to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from high levels of lipoproteins known as Lp(a) and ApoCIII.

The two Ionis pipeline therapies included in the deal are AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx and AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx. The proposed deal includes a $75m upfront option payment as well as customary development, regulatory and commercial milestones and royalty payments to Ionis

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