Novartis Acquires Anthos in $3.1B Deal to Boost Cardiovascular Portfolio
Deal News | Feb 11, 2025 | Zawya
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has agreed to acquire Anthos Therapeutics, a biopharma firm primarily owned by Blackstone's drug development unit, for up to $3.1 billion. The acquisition aims to enhance Novartis's cardiovascular treatment offerings, as its popular heart failure drug, Entresto, faces patent expiration. The financial dynamics involve an upfront payment of $925 million and subsequent payments contingent on developmental milestones. Anthos, co-founded by Blackstone Life Sciences and Novartis in 2019, is at the forefront of developing abelacimab, a groundbreaking factor XI inhibitor designed to prevent strokes and blood clot recurrences. This transaction concludes a noteworthy collaboration between a major pharmaceutical and a private equity firm, highlighting an emerging trend in industry funding models. This acquisition stands as Blackstone's largest sale of a Life Sciences company to date.
Sectors
- Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology
- Private Equity
Geography
- Switzerland – Novartis, the acquirer, is a Swiss pharmaceutical giant, anchoring the geographic relevance to Switzerland.
- United States – Blackstone, the selling entity, is a major American private equity firm, which links the transaction to the U.S.
Industry
- Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology – The article discusses the acquisition of Anthos Therapeutics, a biopharma firm by Novartis, both major players in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector.
- Private Equity – Anthos Therapeutics was majority-owned by Blackstone's Life Sciences business, emphasizing the role of private equity in funding and developing pharmaceutical innovations.
Financials
- $3.1 billion – The total potential acquisition value for Anthos by Novartis.
- $925 million – The upfront payment Novartis will pay for the acquisition.
- $2.15 billion – Additional payments contingent on developmental achievements.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novartis | Acquirer | Company | Swiss pharmaceutical giant looking to bolster its cardiovascular treatment portfolio. |
| Anthos Therapeutics | Target Company | Company | Biopharma firm developing abelacimab, co-founded by Blackstone and Novartis. |
| Blackstone Life Sciences | Vendor | Company | Blackstone's drug development unit, which held a majority stake in Anthos. |
| Nicholas Galakatos | Chairman of Anthos and Global Head of Blackstone Life Sciences | Person | Commented on the potential of abelacimab and the strategic importance of the deal. |
| Bristol-Myers Squibb | Competitor | Company | Competing in the development of factor XI inhibitors. |
| Johnson & Johnson | Competitor | Company | Competing in the development of factor XI inhibitors. |
| Merck & Co | Competitor | Company | Also pursuing advancements in factor XI drug development. |
| Bayer | Competitor | Company | Part of the competitive landscape for novel anticoagulants. |