Argo Biopharmaceutical from China, which happens to be a clinical-stage biotechnology company that’s focused on developing next-generation siRNA therapeutics, has gone on to enter into an additional strategic partnership along with Novartis pertaining to numerous cardiovascular assets that prevail in Argo’s pipeline.
The Novartis-Argo $5.2 licensing deal is in addition to the present collaboration that exists between the two companies and also comprise the third transaction, which includes the assets from the pipeline of Argo.
Apparently, this most recent collaboration between Argo and Novartis goes on to include
- A choice that’s granted to Novartis to license the ex-China rights to a couple of discovery-stage next-generation molecules when it comes to the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) as well as mixed dyslipidemia, as well as a right of first negotiation to BW-00112-ANGPTL3, which is at present in Phase II in the US as well as China, following a combination trial that’s already been conducted by Argo.
- License having the reciprocal options to share in Profit & Loss (P&L) in the US and China for another hepatic-delivered siRNA candidate, which is at present in IND-enabling studies and is anticipated to start a multi-territorial Phase I in 2026. Novartis to go ahead and get an ex-China license to the molecule with a P&L option in China, whereas Argo to get a P&L option in the US.
As per the terms of the Novartis-Argo $5.2 licensing deal, Argo is going to receive an upfront payment amounting to $160 million and is eligible to receive the potential milestone as well as the option payments of a combined potential value of almost $5.2 billion along with the tiered royalties when it comes to commercial sales. Apart from this, Novartis has also gone on to express its non-binding intention so as to participate in the next round of equity financing from Argo. Such participation, which includes the likes of the amount and timing, still remains subject to the customary due diligence and negotiation as well as entry within the definitive documentation.
It is worth noting that cardiovascular disease happens to be one of the leading causes of mortality as well as morbidity across the world. In 2021 alone, there were 20.5 million people who passed away from a cardiovascular condition, which is one-third of the worldwide deaths. siRNA therapeutics happen to have the potential when it comes to therapeutic applicability, having differentiated efficacy and dosing profiles, therefore potentially enhancing the patient outcomes as well as adherence.
