Novartis agrees to acquire Anthos for up to $3.1 billion

Feb 11 (Reuters): Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis (NOVN.S) has agreed to acquire Anthos Therapeutics, a biopharma firm majority-owned by Blackstone’s (BX.N) drug development unit, for up to $3.1 billion, the companies said on Tuesday.

Anthos was founded by the private equity firm’s Blackstone Life Sciences business and by Novartis in 2019 to develop, manufacture, and commercialise abelacimab, a treatment to prevent strokes and the recurrence of blood clots.

The transaction, expected to close in the first half of this year, will cost Novartis USD925 million upfront with potential additional payments of up to USD2.15 billion, the company said.

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“With its deep roots in the cardiovascular space, Novartis is especially well positioned to advance abelacimab’s clinical development and bring this innovative product to healthcare providers and patients,” Bill Meury, CEO at Anthos, said.

A Blackstone spokesperson said the deal was the largest sale to date of a majority-owned Blackstone Life Sciences company.

Anthos is conducting several phase 3 clinical studies, with data from these trials expected in the second half of 2026, Blackstone said.

Reuters reported in December 2023 that Blackstone was exploring the sale of Anthos.