Anthos Therapeutics Acquired by Novartis in Landmark $3.1B Deal

Blackstone Life Sciences and Anthos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced the completion of Novartis's acquisition of Anthos for up to $3.1 billion. Anthos was established by Blackstone and Novartis in 2019, focusing on developing abelacimab, a novel Factor XI inhibitor. The drug is undergoing Phase 3 trials for various conditions including stroke prevention and cancer-associated thrombosis. The deal involves a $925 million upfront payment and contingent milestone payments. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors for Anthos, while Goodwin Procter provided legal advice. Blackstone Life Sciences, which aims to bridge the gap between medical innovations and market, holds $12 billion in assets under management. Abelacimab, a monoclonal antibody, received FDA Fast Track Designations in 2022 for treating thrombosis and stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients.