Novartis to acquire Tourmaline Bio, complementing cardiovascular pipeline with pacibekitug for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)

Core Insights - Novartis has announced an agreement to acquire Tourmaline Bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing pacibekitug, an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease [1][2] - Pacibekitug is positioned to address a significant unmet need in cardiovascular care by targeting systemic inflammation, a major driver of cardiovascular disease [2][7] - The acquisition is valued at approximately USD 1.4 billion, with Novartis offering USD 48 per share for Tourmaline's common stock [3][7] Company Overview - Novartis aims to enhance its cardiovascular portfolio with pacibekitug, which has shown promising results in reducing high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels by 85% to 86% in Phase 2 trials [2][7] - The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals and the tender of a majority of Tourmaline's outstanding shares [5][6] Industry Context - There are currently no widely adopted anti-inflammatory therapies for cardiovascular risk reduction, making pacibekitug a potential breakthrough in addressing residual inflammatory risk in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) [2][7] - Novartis has a long-standing commitment to tackling cardiovascular disease, focusing on high unmet needs and innovative solutions [6][8]