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Novartis Reclaims Abelacimab in $925M Deal to Boost Cardiovascular Portfolio
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Novartis announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Anthos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Boston. Anthos is developing abelacimab, a late-stage treatment for stroke and systemic embolism prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The transaction, which is subject to usual closing conditions, reflects Novartis’ focus on cardiovascular therapeutics. After spinning off abelacimab to create Anthos six years ago, Novartis is now acquiring the company for USD$ 925 million upfront, adding the potential clot-busting treatment to its late-phase pipeline.
Novartis Re-enters the Competitive Race for Factor XI Inhibitors Amid Generic Competition
Under the agreement, Novartis will pay an upfront sum of USD$ 925 million upon closing, subject to certain adjustments, with additional payments of up to USD$ 2.15 billion based on the achievement of specific regulatory and sales milestones. The transaction will close in the first half of 2025, pending the fulfillment of customary closing conditions.
Acquiring Anthos will position Novartis back into the competitive race with other companies developing factor XI inhibitors. Many drug developers are targeting this protein, aiming to create alternatives that improve upon existing non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants, such as Xarelto and Eliquis, which currently dominate the market. However, the impending generic competition for these drugs is driving interest in newer treatments.
The factor XI inhibitor field has experienced some setbacks since Novartis divested abelacimab. For instance, Bayer’s factor XIa inhibitor, asundexian, demonstrated higher mortality rates due to heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular events compared to Eliquis. Additionally, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Johnson & Johnson’s milvexian failed a Phase 2 trial, although the partners have advanced the drug into three Phase 3 studies in 2023. Despite these challenges, the factor XI space remains highly competitive.
Abelacimab Showing Promising Phase 2 Results in Blood Clot Prevention for Atrial Fibrillation
Anthos Therapeutics, founded by Blackstone Life Sciences and Novartis in 2019, has advanced abelacimab through clinical development under a license from Novartis. Abelacimab is a new, highly targeted, fully human antibody designed to help prevent blood clots without interfering with the body’s ability to stop bleeding by blocking a protein called Factor XI. Phase 2 data demonstrated a significant reduction in bleeding events in patients treated with abelacimab compared to those receiving a standard direct-oral anticoagulant for atrial fibrillation.
In July 2022, the FDA granted abelacimab Fast Track Designation for treating thrombosis associated with cancer. In September 2022, abelacimab also received Fast Track Designation for preventing stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. As of today, three Phase 3 clinical trials are ongoing, focusing on patients at risk of arterial and venous clots. One is focusing on patients with atrial fibrillation, and two in cancer–associated thrombosis.
“Abelacimab is a potential first-in-class medicine, which promises to be an effective and safer approach to preventing thrombosis and stroke than the current standards of care.” said David Soergel, M.D., Global Head, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism Development Unit, Novartis. “We are proud that this medicine originated at Novartis and have been impressed with the Anthos Therapeutics team’s expertise and dedication and with the great progress they have made on the program. Now is the right time to bring abelacimab back into the Novartis CRM pipeline.”
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