Novartis Signs Deal With Abogen For MRNA Therapies

Novartis and Abogen Biosciences agreed on a licensing deal for ABO2203 and other potential programs, with up to $7.8 billion in payments. Abogen receives $575 million upfront and potential milestone payments. ABO2203 targets autoimmune diseases using mRNA technology. The deal expands Abogen's RNA platform into therapeutic applications.

Novartis has signed a licensing deal with Abogen, a Chinese biotech company, worth up to $7.8 billion to develop mRNA-based therapies. Novartis will gain exclusive rights to Abogen's experimental drug ABO2203 and options to license other therapies. Abogen will receive $575 million upfront, with potential earnings of $7.2 billion if the drug advances and gains approval. Novartis shares were down 0.5% at 1250 GMT.

Novartis agreed to pay up to $7.8B for Abogen's RNA drug ABO2203, targeting autoimmune diseases. Sanofi will co-develop four inflammation drugs with Regeneron for up to $7.8B. Novo Nordisk licensed Hengrui's obesity pill HRS-1596 for up to $2.6B. AstraZeneca invested $2B in Summit Therapeutics' cancer drug. Merck acquired SciBrunch's cancer pill SPR2015 for up to $2.13B.

Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb paused CAR T-cell trials for autoimmune diseases after three patient deaths. Novartis halted eight trials of rap-cel, while BMS paused studies of zola-cel. The pauses follow cases of immune effector cell-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-like syndrome (IEC-HS). Experts discuss potential causes and future steps for CAR T-cell research. (280 characters)

Novartis agreed to a $7.8B deal with Abogen Biosciences for a Chinese-developed mRNA therapy. The Swiss drugmaker will pay $575M upfront and up to $7.2B in milestones. This follows similar deals by Novo, GSK, and AstraZeneca with Chinese biotechs. China's biotech sector is growing rapidly, with ING projecting $250B in outlicensing deals by 2026.

Novartis' ianalumab and Amgen's dazodalibep met primary endpoints in late-stage trials for Sjögren disease, with Novartis receiving FDA breakthrough therapy designation. RemeGen's telitacicept was approved in China. Sjögren disease patients incur higher healthcare costs, and current treatments focus on symptom relief.