Novartis has announced its intention to acquire Tourmaline Bio, a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company, for approximately $1.4 billion in an all-cash transaction that will strengthen the Swiss pharmaceutical giant's cardiovascular disease pipeline with the addition of pacibekitug, a monoclonal antibody targeting systemic inflammation.
Transaction Structure and Timeline
Under the terms of the agreement, which has received unanimous approval from both companies' boards of directors, Novartis will offer $48 per share in cash for all outstanding shares of Tourmaline common stock through a tender offer. Following completion of the tender offer, Novartis expects to merge its acquiring subsidiary with Tourmaline, making the biotech company an indirect wholly owned subsidiary.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions including the tender of a majority of outstanding Tourmaline shares and receipt of regulatory approvals. Until closing, both companies will continue to operate as separate and independent entities.
Strategic Focus on Pacibekitug
The acquisition centers on Tourmaline Bio's lead asset, pacibekitug, a monoclonal antibody designed to target systemic inflammation, which represents a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The drug candidate is currently in advanced Phase 2 trials and is considered a Phase 3-capable product that could complement Novartis's existing cardiovascular portfolio.
According to Novartis, the company is focusing on areas of high unmet need in cardiovascular disease, including scaling its xRNA platform across multiple risk factors and pioneering breakthroughs for genetically driven cardiovascular disease risk factors and common heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation.
Novartis Cardiovascular Mission
Novartis has articulated its mission in cardiovascular disease as ensuring "no heart is lost too soon," envisioning a world where preventable cardiovascular deaths are eliminated. The company emphasizes its 40-year track record in cardiovascular medicine and its commitment to tackling the most challenging problems in the field through cutting-edge science and technology.
Beyond drug development, Novartis works with patients, healthcare professionals, and organizations worldwide to improve cardiovascular care through comprehensive approaches that extend beyond medicine alone, aiming to help people with cardiovascular disease enjoy longer, healthier lives.
Clinical Development Status
Pacibekitug's development includes ongoing clinical evaluation, with the TRANQUILITY study (NCT06362759) evaluating TOUR006 in patients with chronic kidney disease and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), indicating the drug's potential application in addressing inflammatory markers associated with cardiovascular risk.
The acquisition represents Novartis's continued investment in innovative cardiovascular therapies, positioning the company to address significant unmet medical needs in a therapeutic area where systemic inflammation plays a crucial role in disease progression and patient outcomes.
