Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
A $1.7B acquisition that gave Novartis a kidney-disease microRNA inhibitor, farabursen, adding a targeted renal asset to its pipeline. The deal size signals confidence in a narrow, mechanism-specific bet rather than a broad platform play.
Novartis is buying Regulus Therapeutics for $800 million upfront, beefing up its oligonucleotide pipeline with the San Diego biotech's miRNA-targeting assets,…
Novartis paid a 290% premium to acquire Regulus Therapeutics, a San Diego–based company developing oligonucleotide therapies including farabursen for autosomal…
In late 2024, Novartis executives indicated a desire to have multiple assets in the clinic for arrhythmia by the end of 2025. Asked about this during the…
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Novartis acquired Regulus Therapeutics for $1.7B for kidney disease miR-17 inhibitor.
140K US cases/yr · $1.6B US ADPKD Rx Market
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most common genetic cause of kidney failure, affecting 1 in ~400-1000 people. Progressive cyst growth leads to kidney enlargement and eventual renal failure. Tolvaptan is the only approved therapy but has significant tolerability issues (liver toxicity, polyuria).
Farabursen targets miR-17 with preferential kidney exposure, a differentiated oligonucleotide mechanism. Phase 1b showed kidney volume stabilization. Competitors include tolvaptan (Jynarque), and emerging approaches from Chinook/Novartis, Otsuka.
Novartis completed $1.7B acquisition of Regulus Therapeutics, gaining RGLS8429, miR-17 inhibitor for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
Novartis disclosed the Phase 3 design for farabursen (RGLS8429), the anti-miR-17 oligonucleotide acquired with Regulus, for ADPKD at the ERA 2026 congress. The pivotal trial uses a 124-week horizon and htTKV as a surrogate endpoint geared to accelerated FDA approval — confirming the acquired asset is progressing under Novartis ownership.
RGLS8429 in clinical development for ADPKD. Deal closed mid-2025; too early to evaluate. Novartis building nephrology franchise alongside Chinook assets.
| Deal | Year | Value | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novartis AG / Regulus Therapeutics (this deal) | 2025 | $1.7B | 62 |
| Novartis AG / Advanced Accelerator Applications S.A. | 2017 | $3.9B | 98 |
| Novartis AG / Endocyte, Inc. | 2018 | $2.1B | 96 |
| Novartis AG / Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d. | 2002 | $876M | 88 |
| Novartis AG / GlaxoSmithKline plc | 2014 | $16.0B | 81 |
| Novartis AG / PTC Therapeutics Inc. | 2024 | $2.9B | 80 |
| Novartis AG / Chinook Therapeutics Inc. | 2023 | $3.5B | 78 |
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More: 2025 deals · Novartis AG deals · Nephrology deals