1. Scrip
  2. >>Business
  3. >>Strategy

Novartis Sticks With Bolt-Ons As Biotech Bubble Bursts

CEO Keeps Faith In Gene Therapy

 
• By Kevin Grogan

Rather than major M&A, CEO Vas Narasimhan has told Scrip that Novartis will carry on doing development and licensing deals and while the firm has noted that the valuations of prospective biotech deals have fallen, "they still remain relatively high."

Vas Narasimhan
Vas Narasimhan • Source: Novartis

With the biotech sector suffering from a significant slowdown and funding proving tricky for many of the smaller players, Novartis AG is keeping its eyes firmly open for deals, although CEO Vas Narasimhan thinks some companies and projects remain overvalued.

Speaking to Scrip as the Swiss major unveiled a solid set of financials for the fourth quarter which saw sales...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip 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 Strategy

Avalyn Raises $100m Series D To Advance Inhaled Pulmonary Fibrosis Candidates

 
• By Joseph Haas

Looking to improve on the efficacy and safety of Roche’s Esbriet and BI’s Ofev, Avalyn has inhalable formulations of those drugs in Phase IIb and Phase I, respectively.

Replimune CRL Could Hold Warning For Accelerated Approvals

 
• By Jessica Merrill

FDA issued a complete response letter to Replimune’s BLA for a novel oncolytic immunotherapy for melanoma in a surprise to management and investors.

Sanofi Doubles Down On Respiratory Vaccines With Vicebio Buy

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The French major is paying $1.15bn For the UK biotech and its bivalent candidate, VXB-241.

After Gilead Deal, Hookipa Hangs Up Its Hat

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The Austrian firm is delisting from the NASDAQ and closing down.

More from Business

Stock Watch: Q2 Sales Growth Sparks Diverging Reactions To J&J And Novartis

 
• By Andy Smith

With drug sector indexes underperforming the broad market in the first half of 2025, investors may have been anticipating tariff-related and other headwinds. But impending loss of exclusivity on key products may be provoking more anxiety at this point.

Sanofi Doubles Down On Respiratory Vaccines With Vicebio Buy

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The French major is paying $1.15bn For the UK biotech and its bivalent candidate, VXB-241.

Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things

 
• By Ian Haydock

In this week's episode: J&J delivers in Q2 despite Stelara drop; Sarepta cuts jobs as Elevidys slumps; AI is inevitable but needs to be applied appropriately; China’s mid-cap companies thrive; and a look behind Glenmark’s landmark trispecific deal.