Anthos Therapeutics to Be Acquired by Novartis

• Anthos Therapeutics has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Novartis for up to $3.1 billion.

• The deal includes an upfront payment of $925 million, with additional milestone-based payments.

Anthos Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on cardiometabolic diseases, has reached an agreement to be acquired by Novartis for up to $3.1 billion. The acquisition, announced today, includes an initial payment of $925 million upon closing, with additional payments tied to regulatory and commercial milestones.

Founded in 2019 by Blackstone Life Sciences and Novartis, Anthos holds exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialise abelacimab, a novel Factor XI inhibitor originally developed by Novartis. Abelacimab is being investigated for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation and to prevent blood clot recurrence in cancer patients.

Bill Meury, Chief Executive Officer of Anthos, stated, “Abelacimab has the potential to be an important treatment option for the millions of patients globally with atrial fibrillation at high risk of stroke, and we could not have more conviction in the potential of this asset.” He highlighted Novartis’ expertise in the cardiovascular space as a key factor in advancing abelacimab’s development.

Clinical trial results support the drug’s potential. The AZALEA-TIMI 71 trial demonstrated abelacimab’s effectiveness compared to rivaroxaban (Xarelto), showing a 62% reduction in major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding, a 67% reduction in major bleeding, and an 89% reduction in gastrointestinal bleeding. These results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine on January 23, 2025, led to an early study termination based on the recommendation of an independent data monitoring committee.

Anthos is continuing its clinical development with the LILAC-TIMI 76 trial for atrial fibrillation patients at high risk of stroke, as well as two additional phase 3 trials—ASTER and MAGNOLIA—focused on cancer-associated thrombosis. Data from these trials are expected in the second half of 2026.

The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals, including the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary conditions.