Novartis Acquires Anthos Therapeutics to Advance Abelacimab in Stroke and Thrombosis Prevention

Novartis Acquires Anthos Therapeutics to Advance Abelacimab in Stroke and Thrombosis Prevention

(IN BRIEF) Novartis has announced its acquisition of Anthos Therapeutics, a Boston-based biopharmaceutical company focused on developing abelacimab, an investigational monoclonal antibody currently in Phase 3 trials for preventing stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. This acquisition aligns with Novartis’ strategic focus on cardiovascular treatments. Abelacimab, which works by inhibiting Factor XI, has shown promising results in reducing bleeding events and is also being tested for cancer-associated thrombosis. The transaction, expected to close in the first half of 2025, includes an upfront payment of USD 925 million, with additional payments linked to regulatory and sales milestones.

(PRESS RELEASE) BASEL, 12-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Novartis has announced an agreement to acquire Anthos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Boston. Anthos is advancing abelacimab, a promising monoclonal antibody currently in Phase 3 trials, aimed at preventing stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. This acquisition, set to close in the first half of 2025 pending customary closing conditions, aligns with Novartis’ strategic focus on expanding its expertise in the cardiovascular therapeutic area.

Founded by Blackstone Life Sciences and Novartis in 2019, Anthos Therapeutics has been developing abelacimab under a license from Novartis. Abelacimab works by inhibiting Factor XI, a key component in the coagulation pathway, offering a novel approach to anticoagulation while minimizing bleeding risks. Phase 2 trials have already shown promising results, including a significant reduction in bleeding events compared to standard direct oral anticoagulants. Three ongoing Phase 3 trials are studying the drug’s potential in preventing thrombosis in various patient groups, including those with atrial fibrillation and cancer-associated thrombosis.

Shreeram Aradhye, M.D., President of Development and Chief Medical Officer at Novartis, expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating, “The addition of Anthos Therapeutics and abelacimab to our portfolio is a strategic move to strengthen our cardiovascular focus and bring forward a safer, first-in-class treatment for stroke prevention and cancer-associated thrombosis.”

In addition to its promising clinical results, abelacimab received Fast Track Designation from the FDA in 2022 for both thrombosis associated with cancer and for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients. Novartis’ David Soergel, M.D., Global Head of the Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism Development Unit, also emphasized the company’s pride in the progress made by the Anthos team. “Abelacimab is poised to offer a more effective and safer approach to preventing stroke and thrombosis compared to current treatments,” Soergel added.

The financial terms of the agreement include an upfront payment of USD 925 million upon closing, with the potential for additional payments of up to USD 2.15 billion based on regulatory and sales milestones.

About Abelacimab: Abelacimab is a novel investigational monoclonal antibody that targets Factor XI to block its activation and prevent thromboembolic disease. It mimics a natural deficiency of Factor XI, which is associated with a lower risk of thrombosis.

About Abelacimab
Abelacimab is a novel, investigational, highly selective, fully human monoclonal antibody that binds tightly to Factor XI to block its activation and prevent the generation of the activated form (Factor XIa). This mimics natural Factor XI deficiency, which is associated with protection from thromboembolic disease.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “potential,” “can,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “look forward,” “believe,” “committed,” “investigational,” “pipeline,” “launch,” or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for abelacimab, the acquisition of Anthos Therapeutics, Inc., or regarding potential future revenues from abelacimab. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that abelacimab will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that the expected benefits or synergies from this transaction will be achieved in the expected timeframe, or at all, nor can there be any guarantee that abelacimab will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding abelacimab or the transaction described in this press release could be affected by, among other things, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis
Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide.

Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram.

References
1. Samer Al Said, et al. Bleeding with the FXI Inhibitor Abelacimab compared with Rivaroxaban in Patients on Antiplatelet therapy: A Prespecified Analysis of the AZALEA-TIMI 71 Trial. Available from: https://timi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Samer-Al-Said-Bleeding-with-the-FXI-Inhibitor-Abelacimab-compared-with-Rivaroxaban-in-Patients-on-Antiplatelet-therapy-A-Prespecified-Analysis-of-the-AZALEA-TIMI-71-Trial-.pdf. Accessed February 2024.
2. Ruff C, Patel S, et al. Abelacimab versus Rivaroxaban in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2025; 392 (4):361-371.doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2406674 
3. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05712200. Study to evaLuate the effIcacy and Safety of abeLacimab in High-risk Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Who Have Been Deemed Unsuitable for Oral antiCoagulation (LILAC-TIMI 76) (LILAC-TIMI 76). Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05712200?term=NCT05712200&rank=1. Accessed February 2024.
4. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05171049. A Study Comparing Abelacimab to Apixaban in the Treatment of Cancer-associated VTE. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05171049. Accessed February 2024.
5. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05171075. A Study Comparing Abelacimab to Dalteparin in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal/ Genitourinary Cancer and Associated VTE (MAGNOLIA). Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05171075. Accessed February 2024.

Media Contacts:

SOURCE: Novartis