Argo Biopharma Enters New Strategic Partnership with Novartis for Cardiovascular Innovations
Argo Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (known as Argo Biopharma), a clinical-stage biotech firm, has recently announced a groundbreaking multi-asset licensing and option agreements with Novartis, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry. This strategic collaboration highlights both companies' commitment to advancing therapies targeting cardiovascular diseases, which are among the leading causes of death globally.
The newly signed agreements represent a significant milestone, adding to their previous collaborations and reinforcing their ongoing relationship. Under this arrangement, Argo Biopharma will explore its Phase 2 ANGPTL3 in a combination trial for patients suffering from dyslipidemia, alongside licensing options for several other innovative molecules in its pipeline. This expansion gears the companies towards not just treating but potentially preventing cardiovascular conditions through groundbreaking siRNA (small interfering RNA) therapeutics.
Dr. Dongxu Shu, Co-Founder and CEO of Argo Biopharma, expressed his excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Novartis, a global leader in Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic areas. This collaboration is vital as it serves to drive the exceptional ingenuity we aim to achieve with our siRNA therapeutics, as well as to expand our clinical capabilities across multiple regions.”
Shaun Coughlin, Global Head of Cardiovascular and Metabolism at Novartis Biomedical Research, mirrored this enthusiasm by emphasizing the importance of long-acting siRNAs designed to effectively target and modify disease-causing proteins, marking a paradigm shift in both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This collaboration not only aims to provide innovative treatment solutions but also tackles unmet medical needs within the cardiometabolic landscape.
The agreement includes a specific option for Novartis to license ex-China rights to two innovative molecules currently at the discovery stage, focused on severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) and mixed dyslipidemia. This deal also incorporates a reciprocal option that allows both companies to share profits and losses related to a hepatic-delivered siRNA candidate that is currently undergoing IND-enabling studies. This molecule is anticipated to enter a multi-territorial Phase I trial by 2026.
In terms of financials, Argo Biopharma will receive an upfront payment of a significant $160 million, with the potential for additional milestone payments that could total up to $5.2 billion. Moreover, royalties on commercial sales add another significant financial incentive for Argo, indicating a potentially lucrative partnership.
Globally, cardiovascular diseases contribute to a staggering amount of mortalities, with an estimated 20.5 million lives claimed in 2021 alone, making advancements in this realm crucial. As Argo Biopharma and Novartis further their collaboration, they are dedicated to enhancing therapeutic options that may revolutionize treatment protocols for cardiovascular conditions.
This collaboration builds on Argo and Novartis' previous agreement announced back in January 2024, which came with an upfront payment of $185 million and promises over $4 billion in future milestones. Such financial structures not only underscore the trust both companies place in their innovative partnerships but also their shared vision of developing breakthrough therapies for pressing public health issues.
For more information on their pipeline and mission, visit www.argobiopharma.com.
Argo Biopharma continues to assert its goal of becoming a global leader in biotechnology focused on RNAi therapeutics. With six therapeutic candidates currently undergoing clinical trials, the company is making significant strides toward addressing various health challenges worldwide, especially in cardiometabolic diseases and rare conditions.
The newly signed agreements represent a significant milestone, adding to their previous collaborations and reinforcing their ongoing relationship. Under this arrangement, Argo Biopharma will explore its Phase 2 ANGPTL3 in a combination trial for patients suffering from dyslipidemia, alongside licensing options for several other innovative molecules in its pipeline. This expansion gears the companies towards not just treating but potentially preventing cardiovascular conditions through groundbreaking siRNA (small interfering RNA) therapeutics.
Dr. Dongxu Shu, Co-Founder and CEO of Argo Biopharma, expressed his excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Novartis, a global leader in Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic areas. This collaboration is vital as it serves to drive the exceptional ingenuity we aim to achieve with our siRNA therapeutics, as well as to expand our clinical capabilities across multiple regions.”
Shaun Coughlin, Global Head of Cardiovascular and Metabolism at Novartis Biomedical Research, mirrored this enthusiasm by emphasizing the importance of long-acting siRNAs designed to effectively target and modify disease-causing proteins, marking a paradigm shift in both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This collaboration not only aims to provide innovative treatment solutions but also tackles unmet medical needs within the cardiometabolic landscape.
The agreement includes a specific option for Novartis to license ex-China rights to two innovative molecules currently at the discovery stage, focused on severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) and mixed dyslipidemia. This deal also incorporates a reciprocal option that allows both companies to share profits and losses related to a hepatic-delivered siRNA candidate that is currently undergoing IND-enabling studies. This molecule is anticipated to enter a multi-territorial Phase I trial by 2026.
In terms of financials, Argo Biopharma will receive an upfront payment of a significant $160 million, with the potential for additional milestone payments that could total up to $5.2 billion. Moreover, royalties on commercial sales add another significant financial incentive for Argo, indicating a potentially lucrative partnership.
Globally, cardiovascular diseases contribute to a staggering amount of mortalities, with an estimated 20.5 million lives claimed in 2021 alone, making advancements in this realm crucial. As Argo Biopharma and Novartis further their collaboration, they are dedicated to enhancing therapeutic options that may revolutionize treatment protocols for cardiovascular conditions.
This collaboration builds on Argo and Novartis' previous agreement announced back in January 2024, which came with an upfront payment of $185 million and promises over $4 billion in future milestones. Such financial structures not only underscore the trust both companies place in their innovative partnerships but also their shared vision of developing breakthrough therapies for pressing public health issues.
For more information on their pipeline and mission, visit www.argobiopharma.com.
Argo Biopharma continues to assert its goal of becoming a global leader in biotechnology focused on RNAi therapeutics. With six therapeutic candidates currently undergoing clinical trials, the company is making significant strides toward addressing various health challenges worldwide, especially in cardiometabolic diseases and rare conditions.
Topics Health）
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