Group 1 - Novartis expands collaboration with Argo Biopharma, focusing on multiple cardiovascular assets with a total deal value of up to $5.2 billion [1] - Novartis gains two options for drug candidates targeting severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) and mixed dyslipidemia, allowing for development and commercialization rights outside of China [1] - After Argo completes a joint clinical trial for candidate drug BW-00112, Novartis will have priority negotiation rights for this asset [1] Group 2 - Argo Biopharma will receive an upfront payment of $160 million from Novartis, with potential milestone payments and option exercise payments totaling up to $5.2 billion [1] - Argo is also entitled to receive sales royalties based on the commercialization performance of the assets [1] - Future financing rounds may include potential equity financing support from Novartis for Argo [1]

Core Viewpoint - Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis (NVS.US) has expanded its collaboration with Chinese biotech company Argo Biopharma, signing a multi-asset licensing and option agreement in the cardiovascular field, with a total transaction value of up to $5.2 billion [1] Group 1: Collaboration Details - Novartis will gain two licensing options for candidates in the drug discovery phase aimed at treating severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) and mixed dyslipidemia, allowing Novartis to choose to acquire development and commercialization rights for these candidates in markets outside of China [1] - After Argo Biopharma completes a joint clinical trial for candidate drug BW-00112, which targets angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) for dyslipidemia treatment, Novartis will have the priority negotiation rights for this drug [1] - The agreement also includes another candidate molecule based on RNA technology that is currently in early research stages [1] Group 2: Financial Terms - Argo Biopharma will receive an upfront payment of $160 million from Novartis; additionally, if subsequent development, registration, and commercialization milestones are met, Argo Biopharma could receive up to $5.2 billion in milestone payments and option exercise payments [1] - Argo Biopharma will also have the right to receive sales royalties based on the commercialization performance of the assets involved in the collaboration [1] - In future financing rounds, Argo Biopharma may qualify for potential equity financing support from Novartis [1]