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Novartis to acquire Chinook Therapeutics for 3.2 billion USD upfront
Novartis has entered into an agreement to acquire Chinook Therapeutics, a Seattle, WA, based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with two high-value, late-stage medicines in development for rare, severe chronic kidney diseases.
The agreed deal, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is fully in line with Novartis strategy to focus on innovative medicines and will significantly expand its renal portfolio, complementing the existing pipeline, the company states.
“IgA Nephropathy is a devastating disease mostly affecting young adults and potentially leading to dialysis or kidney transplantation. We are excited by this unique opportunity to address one of society’s most challenging healthcare issues, with the potential to bring additional much-needed treatment options to patients,” says Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis. “We look forward to closing the deal, to a smooth transition for Chinook employees and to welcoming them to Novartis.”
Two late-stage assets in clinical development to treat IgAN
Chinook’s pipeline includes two late-stage assets in clinical development to treat Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN), a progressive, rare kidney disease that mostly affects young adults and currently lacks targeted treatment options. As many as 3 in 10 patients progress to kidney failure and dialysis within 10 years.
Atrasentan, an oral endothelin A receptor antagonist (ERA), currently in Phase 3 development for IgAN with pivotal readout expected in Q4 2023, has shown significant reductions in proteinuria. Atrasentan is also in early-stage development for other rare kidney diseases. Zigakibart (BION-1301) is a subcutaneously administered anti-APRIL monoclonal antibody; a Phase 3 trial in IgAN is expected to start in Q3 2023.
Chinook has deep expertise in modeling and understanding kidney disease and a promising early pipeline to address a number of severe renal conditions.
Photo of Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis (left) and scientist in a laboratory of Banting 1, office space in the background (left): Novartis
Published: June 12, 2023
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