Novartis Expands Cardiovascular Portfolio with $1.4B Acquisition of Tourmaline Bio

Novartis has announced its acquisition of New York-based biotechnology company Tourmaline Bio for $1.4 billion, marking a significant expansion of its cardiovascular disease pipeline. The deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, centers around Tourmaline's promising anti-inflammatory drug pacibekitug.

Pacibekitug: A Potential Breakthrough in Cardiovascular Treatment

Pacibekitug, an investigational monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-6 protein, has shown promising results in treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In a recent Phase II TRANQUILITY study, the drug demonstrated a rapid, deep, and durable reduction in levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), a key marker of inflammation linked to elevated cardiovascular disease risk.

The study, which enrolled 143 patients with elevated CRP levels and chronic kidney disease, showed impressive results across different dosage groups. Patients receiving 50 mg of pacibekitug saw an average reduction in CRP levels of 86% at day 90, while the 25 mg and 15 mg groups experienced reductions of 75% and 85%, respectively, compared to a 15% reduction in the placebo group.

Shreeram Aradhye, Novartis Chief Medical Officer, stated, "With no widely adopted anti-inflammatory therapies currently available for cardiovascular risk reduction, pacibekitug represents a potential breakthrough in addressing residual inflammatory risk in ASCVD with a differentiated mechanism of action targeting IL-6."

Strategic Expansion of Novartis' Cardiovascular Pipeline

The acquisition of Tourmaline Bio is the latest in a series of strategic moves by Novartis to strengthen its position in the cardiovascular disease market. Earlier this year, the company expanded its partnership with China's Argo Biopharmaceutical, investing $160 million upfront with potential milestone payments of up to $5.2 billion for collaboration on multiple RNAi assets for cardiovascular disease.

In February, Novartis acquired Anthos Therapeutics for $3.1 billion, regaining rights to the anticoagulant antibody abelacimab. The company also entered into a multi-target arrangement with Flagship Pioneering's ProFound Therapeutics in June, focusing on developing novel protein therapies for cardiovascular conditions.

These acquisitions and partnerships complement Novartis' existing cardiovascular portfolio, which includes the cholesterol-lowering medication Leqvio and the heart failure treatment Entresto. The company's late-stage pipeline also features pelacarsen, an antisense medication aimed at preventing cardiovascular events in patients with elevated levels of lipoprotein(a).

Deal Terms and Market Response

Under the terms of the acquisition, Novartis will purchase all of Tourmaline's outstanding shares for $48 apiece, representing a 59% premium on the biotech's closing price of $30.18 on Monday. The deal values Tourmaline at approximately $1.4 billion on a fully diluted basis.

The announcement has been well-received by the market, with Tourmaline's shares up 58% in pre-market trading on Tuesday. Analysts at Truist Securities called the transaction "a good deal" given Novartis' strong footprint in the cardiovascular space.

Sandeep Kulkarni, CEO of Tourmaline, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "Novartis shares our conviction in the critical, but largely unaddressed, role of inflammation in driving cardiovascular diseases and will be an ideal partner to accelerate the development of pacibekitug."