Novartis shares slip, Avidity soars after $12 billion biotech deal

Core Viewpoint - Novartis plans to acquire U.S. biotech Avidity Biosciences for approximately $12 billion, which represents the company's largest acquisition under current leadership [1] Company Summary - The acquisition of Avidity Biosciences is a strategic move for Novartis, aiming to enhance its portfolio in the biotech sector [1] - Following the announcement, Novartis shares experienced a decline of 1% on Monday [1] Industry Summary - The acquisition highlights ongoing consolidation trends within the biotech industry, as larger pharmaceutical companies seek to expand their capabilities and product offerings through strategic purchases [1]