Pharma BD Deal Intelligence

Novartis AG / Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

2015 · Acquisition/Merger · $700M · Complete

WRONG BY 41 POINTS

Complete pipeline washout: sole asset EMA401 killed by liver toxicity and lack of efficacy, deal delivered zero commercial return

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The coverage arc

Jun 29, 2015 BioSpace Bullish

David Epstein, head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, framed EMA401 as a novel, differentiated treatment that could address a substantial unmet need where 40% of…

Jun 30, 2015 Pharmacy Times Bullish

Coverage characterized the Spinifex deal as a strategic strengthening of Novartis's pain pipeline with a peripherally-acting candidate that promised a…

Jan 01, 2018 Wikipedia (sourced to Novartis disclosures and Lancet Phase 2) Bearish

Novartis subsequently terminated both Phase 2b trials in PHN and painful diabetic neuropathy after liver toxicity emerged in chronic preclinical studies,…

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Novartis acquired Spinifex for $200M upfront plus undisclosed clinical development and regulatory milestone payments (estimated up-to ~$500M, total ~$700M). EMA401 was a peripheral AT2R antagonist for neuropathic pain. Novartis later discontinued EMA401 development.

Did it work? Outcome assessment

Complete pipeline washout: sole asset EMA401 killed by liver toxicity and lack of efficacy, deal delivered zero commercial return

Strategic verdict
Failed to Achieve

Key facts

Related deals — scored

DealYearValueOutcome
Novartis AG / Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (this deal)2015$700M16
Novartis AG / Advanced Accelerator Applications S.A.2017$3.9B98
Novartis AG / Endocyte, Inc.2018$2.1B96
Novartis AG / Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d.2002$876M88
Novartis AG / GlaxoSmithKline plc2014$16.0B81
Novartis AG / PTC Therapeutics Inc.2024$2.9B80
Novartis AG / Chinook Therapeutics Inc.2023$3.5B78

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